Work and the workplace have a significant impact on the mental health of employees – either positively or negatively.
While depression, anxiety and work-related stress can be connected, it is important to make the distinction that depression and anxiety are clinical conditions, while stress is not. However, prolonged or excessive job stress is a risk factor for mental health problems, and accounts for 13 per cent of depression in working men.1
Factors that contribute to job stress include:
- High demands
- Low job control
- Work overload or pressure
- Lack of control and participation in decision-making
- Unclear work role
- Job insecurity
- Long working hours
- Bullying
- Poor communication
- Inadequate resources.
Depression and anxiety are common conditions that have an impact not only on the individual but on their families, friends and workmates too. Mental health problems also have a direct impact on businesses through increased absenteeism, reduced productivity and increased costs.
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