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Thursday, 03 November 2011 14:43 |
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This week in the Thinkbox, we'd like to asses the status of emotional well-being in the workplace.
António Horta-Osorio made headlines in the financial world this week by taking an advised leave of absence from his high-pressure role as CEO of Lloyds Banking Group due to stress and fatigue. Many media commentators have engaged in doubting speculation about Mr. Horta-Osorio's ability to 'come back from this' and also more worryingly, many have questioned his own ability carry out the functions of CEO in the future.(1 & 2) The results of a Guardian Poll show that the majority of respondents feel unsympathetic towards Mr.H-O as opposed to selecting “Yes - stress affects all of us in different ways .” A quick glance through the various social media channels also throws up many unsympathetic and some down-right stigmatising reactions and comments.
Personal opinions about the banking sector aside, this reaction does pose the question about the level of emotional openness that people feel is acceptable in the workplace.
All the research, guidance and advice tells us that unchecked workplace stress can impact on a person's resilience, mental health and overall well-being. From our own research, we know that people would be reluctant to disclose an actual mental health diagnosis to colleagues and employers but can this reluctance also be applied to discussing general stress and pressures related to work?
Would your employer and colleagues be supportive if you opened up about the pressures your under? Would this sympathy be extended if you decided to take action or a break to prioritise your mental well-being?
And for employers, are there different standards of empathy and support applied to differing levels of workplace seniority?
Please share your thoughts in the comment box below.
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Comments
I found my self disciplined by my employerer for not meeting all the nessesary rules all the time while ill, even though such rules when depressed were at times impossible to meet, such as early morning notifications etc.
I also found on my return that I was isolated by fellow female collegues, with the collegue I shared my office with asking to be moved. Some it seems thinks depression or mental illness is contagious....or feel a person who has been so inflicted is abnormal !
Sadly my employer who is in the business of 'health service' does not adapt it rules or consider the illness the person is dealing with when assesing there performance. The process of being disciplined on my return to my work only caused me further stress.
This man is wisely looking after his health, and has had the strength and courage to be up-front about it. Nobody works as effectively when suffering from stress - and if not dealt with, it can cause permanent damage and even mean that the person ceases to function at all. Instead of colleagues and commentators recognising the fact that he is doing the sensible thing (which, in the long run, will be beneficial to his employer as well as himself) and applauding him for his strength, they question his abilities and discriminate against him because of a health issue. Hypocrites!