Busting the January workplace blues

We’re all back to our routine schedules after the holidays.  For most of us its going to take some time to get back to the routine of things.  Employees experience their worst in January.  

According to experts the most calls for help with family, financial and mood problems come in during this month.

Stress builds up because after returning from the holidays employees do not have as much time for personal things and exercise.  As well, the bills are coming in for the month of December.  

Out of 1 000 calls these are the statistics for what kind of problems employees seek help for:

Family and personal relationships: 28%

Mental health: 25%

Legal issues: 10%

Finances: 7%

Work-related issues, including stress: 7%.

During this time period, people may find themselves experiencing seasonal affective disorder (SAD).  According to the Canadian Mental Health Association up to 15% of Canadians experience SAD, symptoms include fatigue, food cravings, anxiety, irritability, and difficulty concentrating.

People who are experiencing SAD can benefit from spending increased amounts of time outside during the day.  They can also make arrangements with their employers so they receive maximum sunlight.  Other alternatives include sitting near a window or bright artificial lighting.   

Here are some tips for what employers and employees can do to get through this month:  

-  Eat healthy

-  Get active

-  Banish the stigma:  Get rid of the stigma attached to seeking help for personal problems, especially mental health problems.  

-  Get the word out:  Increase awareness in newsletter or websites, seminars, and lunch-and-learns about the availability of assistance plants.  Remind employees these services are confidential and that nobody will know they accessed the services.  

Below are some statistics related to health and wellness in organizations:

22% of employees entitled to an assistance plan have used it to get help.

80% of human resources workers say the number of employees with mental health issues have went up.  

15% of Canadians suffer from moderate or severe seasonal depression in winter.

20% of U.S. employees who say the recession has negatively impacted their mental health

33% say their stress level on the job has risen in past year.

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Posted by: suhujitha on 2010-01-11 14:40:36

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