THE CHANGING WORLD OF WORK AND MENTAL HEALTH

People spend a large part of their adult life at work, which satisfies their personal, economic and social needs. Worldwide data indicate that mental health problems have a direct impact on workplaces through increased absenteeism, accidents, reduced productivity, and increased costs. They also result in a number of employees eventually dropping out of work.

In the last two decades, we have all witnessed rapid changes in working conditions in the industrialized countries, related to globalization and modern communication technologies. This has led to more competition which has resulted in increasing demands for speed, efficiency, productivity, and meeting tighter deadlines.

Globalization:

Globalization has influenced individuals, families and society in general.  On the one hand, globalization has brought in changes in the workplace. That has resulted in an increased income of employees, improved working conditions, facilitate access to education and training. Thus having a positive effect on the mental health of employees. On the other hand, globalization may also have a negative impact on employment and working conditions. Globalization has also resulted in the emergence of new industries, such as the assembly industry in which 90% of employees are women or children, and workplaces are often influenced by unstable jobs, low wages, long working hours, sexual harassment, temporary contracts and subcontracting. Although these new industries make a valuable contribution to the national economy. Their undesirable working conditions are likely to have a negative impact on the mental health of employees and their families.

Urbanization and Migration:

The necessity to find work has also resulted in many workers migrating to other countries having stronger employment opportunities or better working conditions. Migration also occurs from rural areas to the urban areas in the same country. People move out of their native place and migrate to the cities in search of greener pastures.

Thus, while migration can have a positive effect on the mental well-being of an employee. It can also be the source of stress through an increased risk of exposure to poverty and exploitation, difficulties in integrating into a new culture, and the loss of social support networks including the family.

 Information Technology Today:

Information and communication technology can permit work to be performed in different physical locations creating different challenges for employees. While some may enjoy the freedom associated with working at home. For others it may suggest isolation and loss of social support associated with working alone, causing stress and increased risk of developing a mental health problem.

All images are courtesy Pixabay

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