PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALTH AND YOUR WORK PLACE

LINKS BETWEEN WORK AND MENTAL HEALTH

In recent years, the “psychosocial” work environment has garnered increasing attention from occupational and public health experts in all over the world including India. A worldwide research shows the links between work psychosocial hazards and health  With a high burden of mental health disorders in developed countries – depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide; workplace losses due to mental disorders. our mental health at work is making its way to management and public health agendas. Not just because many employees today have a mental illness such as depression or anxiety, but because they may develop such illnesses.

THE PROBLEM OF WORKLOAD

1.  Minimum staff – there is a limit of cost cutting and reduction of staff ,the proper studies are often not done or people doing this are not competent .

2.  Low or  No control - over work load (little decision making power) as how and when to do it and with what resource as management hardly give place for adjustment with tight time lines witch is one of the major cause of stress, anxiety, depression, exhaustion and low self-esteem

3    No or hardly time available to look after family childcare and eldercare .

4.   No mechanism - to employ right person to right job ,often it is done based on educational qualifications or proximity of senior management .

5.  High effort/low reward work - conditions, where there is a high output of effort and energy but with little praise, acknowledgment or credit, compared to work conditions of “high effort/high reward”, are associated with a higher incidence of anxiety, depression and conflict-related problems.

6.  Lack of task variety - few opportunities to learn and low use of skills, and boredom leading to anxiety, depression, resentment and poor psychological health.

THE TIPS FOR BETTER MANAGEMENT

1. Ask your employees what they need, what can be done better.- “Be open to criticism as long as it’s associated with an idea for a solution, a helpful, actionable item.”

2. Communicate - “You can never over-communicate in organizations bur you should be aware that Lack of communication leads to alienation, frustration and lack of trust so share information , people feel respected and valued.”

3. Have a zero tolerance policy - for certain behaviors, harassment, sexist and racist comments.

4. Be kind - You really can’t say please and thank you enough. Be respectful and kind, acknowledge people and let staff know when they have done a good job.”

5. Know people - You must know the names of a person’s spouse, kids, the activities they enjoy ect. it allows you to interact  at human level.”