Harmful working culture increases levels of stress and depression

According to a new report, managers are suffering because of the “harmful” culture across British industry, working around 46 days of unpaid overtime a year, going to work while ill and suffering increased levels of stress and depression.

Research among 1,000 managers painted a “bleak” picture of bigger workloads, more ill-health and low levels of job satisfaction. The Chartered Institute of Management said its study also showed a number of “negative” management styles had emerged over the past few years, including overly bureaucratic or authoritarian styles.

Justin Govier, Employment Partner at IBB Solicitors comments:

“Unfortunately, these research findings highlight (only) some of the consequences of the financial situation that many businesses find themselves in. As a result of employers making redundancies to cut costs, workloads are increasing for the remaining staff – most commonly middle management – and morale is decreasing. Management styles are becoming more protective and ‘micro’ which has a negative impact on staff. Employers can use positive measures to counter this by being transparent about the issues they are facing and explaining the decisions that are being made. This can be done by promoting a ‘we are in this together’ attitude, advertising organisation successes, exploring flexible working opportunities, being more proactive regarding ill-health and considering cost-effective ways of rewarding those undertaking unpaid overtime. On a positive, the Olympics may also be an opportunity to inject further morale into the business”.

IBB’s Employment Team provides advice on the employment aspects of all major business decisions. To contact a member of the team for advice, call us on 01895 207892 or email employment@ibblaw.co.uk