It’s time for a more empathetic and people-centered approach to people management
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GUEST – Magdaleen Scott, Founder and Managing Director of KVD Communication
Globally, there has been a significant uptick in the prevalence of depression and anxiety post the Covid-19 pandemic. In South Africa, it is estimated that one in six people suffer from anxiety, depression, or substance abuse and more than half of the population is possibly dealing with some kind of post-traumatic stress disorder. Another study estimated that a third of people suffer from a mental illness and of that figure, 75% won’t receive any treatment. Disability claims appear to give credence to these figures: in 2020, 19% of disability claims were for mental health, up from 11% in 2019.
The World Health Organisation has estimated that there was a 25% increase in anxiety and depression disorders during the pandemic. It would be remiss of employers not to factor in mental health given a growing body of evidence indicating that poor mental health is associated with absenteeism, impacting worker performance and business profitability and success. Ironically, poor mental health also has strong associations with presenteeism, defined as employees coming to work despite suffering from illness, poor mental health, or another medical condition. The challenge with presenteeism is that employees tend to be less productive and more prone to making mistakes.
Studies reveal that presenteeism is on the increase as a result of workplace culture, a fear of judgment from demanding employers, a lack of sick days, staff shortages, and job insecurity.
Globally, there has been a significant uptick in the prevalence of depression and anxiety post the Covid-19 pandemic. In South Africa, it is estimated that one in six people suffer from anxiety, depression, or substance abuse and more than half of the population is possibly dealing with some kind of post-traumatic stress disorder. Another study estimated that a third of people suffer from a mental illness and of that figure, 75% won’t receive any treatment. Disability claims appear to give credence to these figures: in 2020, 19% of disability claims were for mental health, up from 11% in 2019.
The World Health Organisation has estimated that there was a 25% increase in anxiety and depression disorders during the pandemic. It would be remiss of employers not to factor in mental health given a growing body of evidence indicating that poor mental health is associated with absenteeism, impacting worker performance and business profitability and success. Ironically, poor mental health also has strong associations with presenteeism, defined as employees coming to work despite suffering from illness, poor mental health, or another medical condition. The challenge with presenteeism is that employees tend to be less productive and more prone to making mistakes.
Studies reveal that presenteeism is on the increase as a result of workplace culture, a fear of judgment from demanding employers, a lack of sick days, staff shortages, and job insecurity.
