(Image source from: Depression Levels are high in Private Sector Employees})
The private sector employees in India are victimized with depression and other stress related diseases, because of improper schedules of work, food, sleep, and pressure by the management. The problem is much high in the IT, ITES, and BPO sector.
According to a recent study conducted on the eve of World Health Day (April 7), it is learn that nearly 42.5% private sector employees in India suffer from depression or general anxiety disorder. The sample size was 1,250 corporate employees from 150 companies across 18 broad sectors like IT/ITeS, financial services, engineering, telecom, FMCG, real estate, infrastructure, media, telecom, education, manufacturing and advertising, among others.
As per the study report Delhi stands in top place, as most of the corporate employees suffering from depression or general anxiety disorder, followed by Bangalore, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Hyderabad and Pune.
The worsened situation can be understood clearly as the rate of emotional problems such as anxiety and depression has increased by 45-50 per cent in the last eight years. The study by the Assocham (industry body) has also revealed that 23% corporate employees suffer from obesity which can modify occupational morbidity, mortality and injury risks that can further affect workplace absence, disability, productivity and healthcare costs.
HBP and diabetes are standing in third and four spoilers of employees’ life with a share of 9% and 8%, respectively. And other diseases share is spondylosis at 5.5%, heart disease 4%, cervical 3%, asthma 2.5%, slip disk 1% and arthritis 1.5%%.
The major reasons for the degradation of health (indirectly degradation of lifespan) are found that nearly 38.5 per cent corporate employees sleep less than 6 hours a day due to high stress levels that arise out of tough targets set by employers. The study also focused on the physical fitness levels also. Around 57 per cent of the employees in the private companies said they 'do not exercise at all', 23 per cent do physical workout devoting less than 1 hour/week, 12 per cent of the employees exercise for 1-3 hours/week, 8 per cent employees exercise for 3-6 hours/week and merely 7 per cent stay fit by exercising for more than 6 hours/week.
The sample contains 55% of the age bracket of 20-29 years, followed by 30-39 years (26 pc), 40-49 years (16 pc), 50-59 years (2 pc) and 60-69 years (1 pc).
It is important to note that the higher aspirations (monetary and publicity) of the organizations are compelling the employees to work in an inappropriate ratio. Insufficient sleep and physical activities are leading the young age employees to ill health conditions. Human resources Management department in every organization should address their concerns and the organizations should make use of the employees in proportion to their remuneration only.
-Kannamsai
