Redesign jobs to alleviate work stress and employee depression

livemint.com:

Enterprises today face an epidemic of workplace stress and depression that takes an enormous toll on employees and corporate performance. In late 2019, the American Institute of Stress highlighted that 83% of US workers suffer from work-related stress, a third consult a doctor for stress-related issues and 18% had quit their jobs. And then there’s depression: According to a 2022 Deloitte survey in India, 59% of respondents reported symptoms of depression, including feelings of sadness, lack of interest, fatigue, concentration issues and poor decision-making.

The American Psychiatric Association has cautioned that depression significantly impacts productivity, and along with stress, it leads to presenteeism, absenteeism and employee turnover. Other studies show that depression increases the risk of heart disease, insomnia, weight gain and other unexplained lifestyle diseases, or pains. No wonder CEOs and CHROs are focusing on both the mental and physical well-being of employees.

To make a difference, they need to acknowledge the causes of this menace. Research has uncovered some principal sources. Strain can result from a combination of high job demands and low job control, long work hours, job-loss fears, scheduling uncertainty, low pay, work-family conflict, workplace bullying and/or harassment, perceived injustice and lack of social support.