
Issue No 75		27 October 2000

LaborNET	Ask Neale	Tool of the Week

Health

Depressing Workplaces

New technologies and the impact of globalisation have sparked more stress and bouts of depression for workers, while causing a growing burden for social security systems, a new ILO report says.


	Modern Workplaces - Modern Stress

Up to one in 10 people suffer from workplace stress, leading in some cases to unemployment or hospitalisation, the International Labour Office (ILO) says in it's study of Finland, Germany, Poland, Britain and the United States.

"In many countries, early retirement due to mental health difficulties is increasing to the point where they are becoming the most common reason for allocating disability pensions," it warns.

In the United States, an estimated $US30 billion ($AS56 billion) to $US40 billion ($AS75 billion) is spent on treatment of depression alone, and around 200 million days lost from work each year.

In the European Union, the report estimates that between 3 and 4 per cent of gross national product (GNP) is spent on mental health problems.

In Germany, nearly 7 per cent of cases of early retirement are linked to depressive disorders. Workers suffering such problems are also likely to be away from work about two and a half times longer than those suffering from other illnesses, it said.

German workers have seen changes in the last few decades "due mainly to rationalisation and the rapid introduction of technology along with rising unemployment," the report said.

In Britain, one in every 20 people of working age are likely to experience major depression, while in the United States, the rate is one in 10 and in Finland, more than half the workforce suffers some kind of stress-related symptoms.

In the United States and Britain, the threat of unemployment has been less in recent years, the report notes, but workers face pressure as a result of new technologies and rising productivity demands.

In Poland, political changes also brought a socio-economic transformation which had "serious ramifications for the labour market and for the mental well-being of people in the workplace".

The five countries were chosen by the ILO because they represent different approaches to the organisation of the workplace, welfare systems, legislations and health care.

The report also notes some progress, saying that in the United States, many employers now understand the relationship between health and productivity, improving their management strategies and introducing support programmes.

"Employers of all sizes are beginning to recognise that depressive disorders often constitute their highest mental health and disability cost'" it says.

In Germany, corporate health promotion is becoming a higher priority. Programmes including role playing and relaxation procedures to increase self-confidence have been in place for many years.

A joint study on the same subject by ILO and the World Health Organisation warns that predictions indicate the future will witness "a dramatic increase" in mental health problems.

"Workers worldwide confront as never before an array of new organisational structures and processes - downsizing, contingent employument and increased workload," the report says.

View entire issue - print all of the articles!

Issue 75 contents

Interview: Civilized Capital
The FNV's Harrie Lindelauff explains to Peter Lewis how a friendly government and moderate employers make for a different sort of workplace in Holland.

Politics: Where Too Much Politics Is Barely Enough
With daily newspapers providing polling and analysis, television, cable, radio and Internet providing 24 hour coverage over a year long campaign -- there's more than enough politics for even the most voracious American political junkie reports Michael Gadiel.

International: US Cleaners on Hunger Strike
A number of US cleaners have this week gone on a hunger strike to back a union campaign for higher wages.

Economics: The Pass The Risk Trick
Derivatives, often seen as the currency of casino capitalism, are the fastest growing, largest and potentially most volatile aspect of capitalist economies. Economist Dick Brian sees behind this image an even deeper danger.

Health: Depressing Workplaces
New technologies and the impact of globalisation have sparked more stress and bouts of depression for workers, while causing a growing burden for social security systems, a new ILO report says.

Unions: Costello's Con
The low paid are bearing the brunt of the GST with inflation at a 10 year high argues the ACTU's Greg Combet.

Satire: Bush campaign an in-joke, admit advisors
TEXAS, Thursday: Following Bush's disastrous performance in the first Presidential debate it has been revealed that his bid for president is actually the result of a in-joke about how stupid the American people are.

» ACTU Calls For Compo For Costello's Inflation Spike

» Despair At Our ABC

» Outlaw Banks Strike Again

» Church Leader Confesses: We're Not Always Good Employers

» Building Workers Win $150 A Week Pay Rise

» MUA Prosecutes Patrick

» WA Secrecy Laws Gag Union Members

» LHMU Seek $1 An Hour Rise

» Picket Protects Broadway Squats

» APHEDA Appeal For Palestinian Medical Relief

» World Bank, IMF To Consult Unions

» Festering Joy

» Heath Our Hero Wins Two Gold