Survey Shows That Unrealistic Workloads Are To Blame For Increasing Rates of Depression And Stress At Work.
The results of a survey released as part of the National Depression Week™ 2002 campaign by Depression Alliance clearly show that many people with depression who have sought help from their employers are still being made ill through unrealistic workloads and bad management.
The results, launched at the start of National Depression Week™ (8th - 14th April 2002), which concentrated on depression and work, shows that employers can no longer ignore a condition that is as dangerous as cancer and heart disease.
The UK now has one of the highest attempted suicide rates in Europe, with a massive 50% increase since 1990. At least three-quarters of suicides are the result of depression, with more than 7,000 people taking their own lives each year in the UK and Ireland.
One of the most striking results from the survey of 200 people was the number who had had told their employers about their illness but who had received little or no support from managers and were struggling under unrealistic workloads. Worryingly, over a quarter of people interviewed (29%) felt their depression was caused or made worse by unrealistic workloads, with 35% of people blaming bad management. This has serious implications for employers everywhere as the number of people off sick from work increases, costing industry billions of pounds each year.
Depression Alliance's Director, Jim Thomson, says:
"It is incredible that at the beginning of the third Millennium, with employers demanding ever-greater commitment from and exerting ever-greater pressure on employees, depression and stress are by and large not taken seriously in the workplace. The employee affected by depression, often wary of turning to the employer, simply has no release valve".
In another blow to employers, when asked whether workers felt they were always offered the support they needed only 11% were able to say yes.
Surprisingly, results show that many more people are finding it easier to inform their colleagues and managers of their illness with only 1.5% of interviewees declaring that they had not disclosed their illness to anyone. However, most people interviewed (23%) were only prompted to tell their employer of their illness after they had been unwell for a period. With people now being more open about their condition, Depression Alliance is calling for the government and employers to act quickly and responsibly in supporting workers and those who are unable to work through depression and stress.
As part of National Depression Week™ , Depression Alliance has launched its training programme aimed at employers and employees to help them better cope with depression and stress in the workplace. The message behind this year's National Depression Week™ is that early intervention and a better understanding of depression and stress in the workplace will save time, money and lives.
Click here for more latest news.
Depression Alliance depends on donations to continue its vital work. To show your support please CLICK HERE to Donate using our secure donation page.
Depression Alliance depends on donations to continue its vital work. To show your support please CLICK HERE to Donate using our secure donation page.