Following a study of stress levels prevailing at workplaces, the Kerala State Youth Commission recommends regular audit of workplaces to gauge stress levels.
The study covered over 1,500 youth in the age bracket of 18 to 40 working in the information technology (IT) sector, media firms, gig economy, retail and industrial space as well as in the banking and insurance sectors. The survey revealed that a whopping 84.3 per cent of employees working in the IT sector and 83.5 per cent in the media space admit to comparatively higher stress levels at work.
The banking and insurance sectors fare no better with about 80.6 per cent employees reporting stress. Even 75.5 per cent gig workers report high stress.
Employees working in retail/industrial sector reported comparatively lower level of work stress.
Those in the age bracket of 30 to 30 experience the maximum level of work-related stress. Amongst these, women experience more stress (74.7 per cent) while men experience less stress (73.7 per cent). |An alarming 68.25 per cent women and men admitted to their work-life balance being at risk due to work pressure. Here too, women were more stressed than men.
While handing over the report based on the survey findings, M Shajar, chairperson, Kerala State Youth Commission, suggested to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan that the government should conduct audits across organisations at regular intervals to keep track of the stress levels of employees. This will also give an insight into the mental health of young professionals.
Most of these professionals are stressed at work because they are worried about their financial security and work-life balance.
The Commission recommends the creation of dedicated corners at workplaces where employees can relax, indulge in recreation or distract themselves to relieve work stress. The report also calls for keeping long work hours in check and restricting work calls after working hours.
Another good suggestion made in the report is that of modifying school curricula to include stress management and lessons on coping with stress so that youngsters are prepared early on for the challenges of corporate life.
Mental-health insurance was suggested to be included in employee benefits so that leaves and expenses for therapy, counselling and treatment for mental-health issues could be taken into account.