A stressful work life often results in significant mental health challenges, a reality that holds true worldwide, including in India. Presently, we are witnessing an era of significant transformation marked by progress, expansion, rise of new technologies, and the evolution of corporate culture in our country. Amidst this, escalating issues related to workplace culture where individuals either lack awareness or feel reluctant to openly address them, have become a cause of concern.Recently a survey released by McKinsey Health Institute's 2023 says that India respondents reported the highest rates of burnout symptoms at 59%.
“In the global professional landscape, employees grapple with significant challenges, encompassing long hours, high job demands, and the continuous evolution of technology, contributing to the pervasive issue of work-related stress. The imperative for comprehensive training among managers is crucial for adeptly recognising signs within teams and colleagues. Understanding nuanced factors, such as excessive job demands, inadequate management support, and strained relationships, is imperative for effective intervention,” said Apurva Singh Verma, Psychologist.
What Signs of Burnout have you noticed in individuals due to this monotony?
Work-life in companies is a mixture of high work pressure, performance anxiety, elevated stress levels and work-life imbalance. The repetitive and mundane daily routines faced by employees place them in challenging positions. Over time, the primary focus for these individuals shifts more towards building positive external perceptions of their efforts and performance, often at the cost of their mental well-being.
Due to high work pressure in terms of failure, job insecurity, unrealistic and stringent deadlines, employees face a rollercoaster ride of emotional upheaval. This leads to unbearable levels of stress and anxiety in the workforce. It leads employees to feel hesitant and low in confidence while juggling the stressors of their daily tasks, compounded by work life imbalance.
Are there any industries or professions within India that are particularly prone to high levels of workplace burnout?
According to our expert, Abha Dandekar, Co-Founder, Raintree Family Office & Raintree Foundation, the significance of mental health should be considered on par with other corporate or financial priorities in shaping the course of organisational growth and progress. Companies need to make employee well-being a core part of their HR strategy by taking a structured approach, guided by experts. This starts by working to establish an organisational culture that is inclusive, focused on employee well-being, and proactive and affirmative when it comes to mental health.
To tackle mental health issues in the workplace, companies can implement strategies like formulating robust mental health policies, establishing supportive frameworks, fostering open communication where employees feel empowered to discuss challenges, conducting routine check-ins, and arranging informative workshops. These pillars are crucial in nurturing a forward-thinking workplace environment and effectively managing mental health challenges linked to workplace stress.
Organisations need to adopt a holistic approach benefitting the employers as well as the employees to promote a supportive workplace.
What cultural interventions or mindset shifts could be explored to mitigate these issues?
India is a dynamic and versatile country, it is one of the fastest growing countries in the world. As in any high-growth nation, there has been a cultural emphasis on hard work, dedication, and commitment to one's job. This cultural trait sometimes leads to longer working hours, putting pressure on employees to demonstrate dedication, which can contribute to burnout.
“Strategic initiatives, including flexible schedules, remote work options, and proactive mental health programs that incorporate regular check-ins and workshops, are pivotal. Their aim is to destigmatise conversations around mental health and foster an environment of open communication, playing a crucial role in cultivating a healthier work-life balance. Stress, though not an illness, can precipitate poor health, injury, and an increased susceptibility to mental health conditions on a global scale,” Ms Singh advised.
Promoting awareness stands as the cornerstone of my philosophy. By instilling this awareness, we foster a workplace culture that places employee well-being on par with performance, creating an essential foundation for cultivating a sustainable, resilient professional environment.
Also, promoting a cultural shift that values employee well-being alongside productivity and dedication can be instrumental in mitigating workplace burnout.
Also read: Sleepy During Office Hours? You Might Have An Underlying Sleeping Disorder
Combining these interventions with open communication, supportive leadership, and a proactive approach to mental health in the workplace can contribute to reducing the prevalence of burnout in Indian work settings.
What are the different methods to tackle workplace burnout?
Workplace burnout and the challenges stemming from exhausting routines are no longer hidden realities. Of late, people are openly discussing this issue and adopting cautious approaches to address this obstacle. Tackling workplace burnout involves a multi-faceted approach that addresses various aspects of the work environment and individual well-being.
Organisations are employing diverse methods to handle this, such as mental health policies, individualised open communication sessions, awareness programs on mental health, stress management strategies, and more. These approaches vary depending on an individual's experiences, as many seek empathy, transparency, and stress reduction across all levels.
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