India Inc is reeling from a common problem across the board. Depression, and not of the economic sort.
According to an Assocham report based on the views of 1,250 workers from 150 companies across 10 Indian cities, those employed in the corporate-sector are so stressed out that ‘nearly 42.5 per cent’ of them fall into clinical depression. Long rigorous work hours, and performance pressure has taken a toll on their health.
Among those surveyed around 55 per cent were 20-29 years old, 26 per cent were 30-39 years old and 16 per cent were 40-49 years old.
Young and sick
“Obesity is the second lifestyle disease they are facing. High blood pressure and diabetes are the third and fourth major diseases, respectively,” The Hindu reports.
Government employees, on the other hand, are a lot less susceptible to health issues of the kind. Reason? They get a lot more rest when not at work.
Nearly 38.5 per cent of corporate employees sleep less than 6 hours a day, which is less than ideal for the amount of work they put in.
Another reason for this worsening health stat is the lack of exercise. The study says that 57 per cent of employees in private firms do not work out at all, which is a fairly high chunk. Interestingly, government employees are hitting the gym a lot more, the report indicates.
Recent curve of depression
Psychological problems such as anxiety disorder and depression began plaguing employees of corporate firms more in the past 8 years. The level of such emotional problems has increased by 45-50 per cent in less than a decade.
“Corporate employees have to survive the stiff global competitive environment to save their jobs, adding pressure on their health,” D.S. Rawat, Secretary General of Assocham, told The Hindu.
