EMPLOYEES BATTLING DEPRESSION AND POOR PRODUCTIVITY CAN FIND HELP
How do you motivate an employee who isn't interested in his work? How can you prevent a depressed employee from hurting workplace morale?
People with depression may find it difficult to find the energy to get to work. If they make it to work, they may come without enthusiasm, creativity or energy.
22 percent of women and 13 percent of men will suffer major depression in their lifetimes.
The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that depression affects more than 17.5 million adults each year and costs society about $43 billion annually.
The phenomenon of "presenteeism" — being at work although not fully effective — is just as, if not more costly than either absenteeism or short-term disability. In 2001, researchers at Yale University found that employees with chronic depressive symptoms were seven times more likely to show decreased workplace effectiveness than those without the symptoms.
92% of Americans believe that personal problems often spill over into work, decreasing productivity.
A MEDSTAT Group study found that workers with depression or anxiety are unproductive about two hours per day. Depressed individuals have high rates of absenteeism and are more likely to abuse alcohol and drugs.
An EAP can help combat depression:
Treating employees with depression effectively helps them to regain productivity.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires reasonable accommodation for workers with depression.
