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Employees in the worst environments, primarily with ‘low pride’ situations, are losing the most workdays, while even those in well-managed offices forfeit nearly five days a month to stress, it has pointed out
Individuals who spend 12 or more hours at a desk have distressed and struggling levels of mental well-being, with a mental well-being score approximately 100 points lower than those who spend less than or equal to two hours at a desk, the survey pointed out. (Representational image: Getty)
India’s workplaces are currently turning into pressure cookers, pushing the employees to the brink. As debates over gruelling 70-90-hour workweeks rage on and tragedies like a young techie’s suicide in Pune expose the human cost of burnout, the Economic Survey (ES) 2024-25 lays bare another alarming truth about poor managerial relationships and hostile workplaces leading to a lack of purpose that is driving up absenteeism and loss of productivity that may prompt an economic slump. Employees in the worst environments, primarily with “low pride” situations, are losing the most workdays, while even those in well-managed offices forfeit nearly five days a month to stress.
Almost dismissing the remarks on a 70- to 90-hour workweek by some noted industrialists and business leaders, the Economic Survey said, “While the hours spent at work are informally considered a measure of productivity, a previous study has documented adverse health effects when hours exceed 55-60 per week…Spending long hours at one’s desk is equally detrimental to mental well-being. Individuals who spend 12 or more hours at a desk have distressed and struggling levels of mental well-being, with a mental well-being score approximately 100 points lower than those who spend less than or equal to two hours at a desk, according to the survey. “
Mental health: An economic issue
This year’s Economic Survey delves deep into mental health, building on a detailed chapter on “mental well-being,” the one that was introduced last year. It highlights “low pride”, “hostile”, and “stressed” workplaces, and a “phone-based” childhood as key concerns, highlighting the need for government intervention.
The survey also ensures a nationwide rollout of Tele-Manas, a government video consultation programme for depression, currently operational in J&K, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
“Mental well-being is often conflated with happiness or mood. However, it is beyond that. It is the ability to navigate life’s challenges and function productively. Mental well-being encompasses all our mental-emotional, social, cognitive, and physical capabilities. This can also be construed as the mind’s composite health,” the ES 2024-25 stated.
“The Economic Survey 2023-24 recognised mental well-being as an economic issue and highlighted, in some detail, the increasing prevalence of mental health issues worldwide and in India and its likely impact on the economy. It emphasised a whole of community approach to tackling mental health problems. In this Survey, we take the discussion forward,” the survey added.
Low pride, hostile boss: A recipe for burnout
The ES explains how a survey was conducted to assess the seriousness of mental health issues and their impact on economic growth.
In the survey, the experts have also stated, “While the low levels of mental well-being are worrying, the ramifications of these trends on the economy are equally disturbing. In addition to impacting mental well-being and lifestyle, the workplace culture also affects productivity.”
“The survey results show the extent to which lifestyle choices and workplace culture are associated with the number of days an individual is unable to work per month. Better lifestyle choices and workplace cultures and family relationships are associated with 2-3 fewer days lost per month at work. Having poor relationships with managers and low (worst) pride and purpose at work are associated with the largest increases in the number of days one is unable to work,” the ES said.
It further goes on to elaborate on how work culture comprises the myriad of factors that define an “individual’s experience at work, including workload, manager and peer relationships, and perceived control”.
“Global data mirrored in India, suggests that work culture strongly impacts mental well-being. In the survey, workers employed in the formal economy in India were asked to rate various work factors on a scale from 1 to 9, where 1 was the worst, and 9 was the best. Data suggests that mental well-being is not static; indeed, there are a myriad of factors, including workplace culture, hours spent working, and lifestyle, that influence mental well-being,” the ES said. “Furthermore, hostile work cultures and excessive hours spent working at the desk can adversely affect mental well-being and ultimately put the brakes on the pace of economic growth.”
Telephone-based childhood
The ES has also recognised the rising mental health issues among children and urged government intervention if needed.
“The increase in mental health issues in children and adolescents is often linked to the overuse of the internet and, specifically, social media,” said the ES. Referring to Jonathan Haidt’s book, The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Children is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness, the Economic Survey has pointed out he suggested that the arrival of the “phone-based childhood” is rewiring the very experience of growing up.
“The recent announcements by government of Australia to ban the use of social media by children below 16 years of age is a testimony to the gravity of the situation. Similar interventions are being discussed in Sweden and Spain, as per news report. While these interventions at government level are being contemplated, there is an urgent need for school and family-level interventions to encourage healthy pastimes (meeting with friends, playing outside). Investing time in building close family bonds would go a long way towards keeping children and adolescents away from the internet…” stated the ES.