The Hindu Business Line : Work stress

This is with reference to "Employee burnout" (Business Line, July 25): The author is right in emphasising that 15 hours of work demanded certainly will have a telling effect on the health of employees. Globalisation has introduced many career compulsions — long working hours, night shifts, lack of exercise, unattainable deadlines. Employees are finding it difficult to make time for family and leisure. We don't realise that we are missing the pleasure of togetherness and that family life can have a positive impact on work.

Work has begun to affect sleep, food habits. Indefinite working hours are leading to physical ailments such as diabetes, cardiac problems, arthritis and also mental stress at early age.

The desire to excel and reach positions of authority is putting creative pursuits on the back-burner. But organisations cannot be blamed. In a liberalised market-driven economy, every organisation is trying hard to find a foothold in the market. Organisations initiate HR initiatives to reduce stress by providing gym and other recreational facilities. Many organisations do provide counselling services at the workplace.

L. Rangarajan

Akota

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