Workplace Stress and its Impact

• A rise in suicides among young professionals due to excessive work stress is a global issue.
• The term ‘karoshi’, meaning ‘death from overwork’, has been used to describe the strain caused by excessive work.
• The focus on profit and productivity in the competitive economy has led to a culture of overwork, often resulting in burnout, anxiety, depression, and suicide.
• Cognitive dissonance theory suggests that employers justify this grueling work environment as beneficial for organizational growth.
• Chronic stress leads to burnout, anxiety, depression, and suicide in some cases.
• The Human Relations Movement emphasizes the importance of employee satisfaction in improving organizational efficiency.
• Companies should reassess their work culture and expectations, reduce excessive working hours, offer flexible schedules, and embrace remote work.
• Regular breaks and vacations, psychological support, and open conversations around mental health are crucial.
• Managers and supervisors should be trained to recognize signs of burnout and intervene before problems escalate.
• Performance metrics should focus on the quality of work, not just quantity of time spent or deadlines met.
• A balanced and sustainable work culture benefits both employees and their organizations.
• Employers should set realistic expectations and empower employees to set boundaries around their work hours.
• Addressing workplace stress requires collective effort, including mindfulness, regular exercise, and strong social support networks.