Nearly 40% of workers are at risk for depression
Psychological well-being, rather than back pain, is now the most common work-related health problem.
According to the findings of a new report by Global Corporate Challenge (GCC), it is no longer back pain that is the number one work-related health problem, but psychological well-being.
GCC surveyed 14,734 people from 34 leading companies in 67 countries. And an overwhelming 39 % of workers fell into the worst category in psychological well-being. This is an indication that these individuals are at risk of depression. The study was based on the 5-point well-being index of the World Health Organization (WHO).
Dr. David Batman, Chief Medical Officer and thus responsible for occupational health and performance, said: "In my 25 years as an occupational physician, I have seen a rapid increase in problems with psychological well-being in the workplace. Twenty years ago, it was back and neck pain, and there were also numerous cases of work-related skin conditions - in other words, mostly physical problems. In the last fifteen years, however, psychological problems have increased dramatically and have now become the most common problem in the workplace. One of the most important causes of this is stress - which used to affect mostly managers, but is now found at all levels of the company."
