For most people, a significant proportion of their lives is devoted to work. Therefore, when they become depressed, not only their personal lives suffer, but their work lives. And, if you think this doesn’t have any impact on the people they work with, think again. The absenteeism rates increase, and productivity decreases when a person becomes depressed; and this definitely impacts on the other employees who many times have to pick up the slack.
Therefore, the results of a recent study which incorporated treatment of depression of employees into the Human Resource code, were astounding. The treated employees were:
• 40 percent more likely to have recovered from their depression compared to those in usual care. Participants in the intervention group also were
• 70 percent more likely to stay employed, and
• more likely to work more hours per week (i.e.worked an average of two more hours per week)
Although the cost of each person treated was about $100-400, the recovery in improved productivity equaled about $1800. This huge variance is significant to the employee being treated, co-workers, and management.
Although few employers have offered this out-reach program, the above results hopefully will compel employers to improve their employee’s health.
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