Lifestyle 12/13/2023
Japan has seen a rise in the number of young employees suffering from work-related mental health issues due to stress and other factors, as companies reopen their offices after the coronavirus pandemic.
According to a survey conducted by the Japan Productivity Center, it turns out that there is a significant increase in the number of young people and workers in their twenties and thirties who face mental health difficulties in the workplace. This survey shows the high percentage of workers who feel these difficulties, as this percentage rose significantly, especially among workers in their twenties, to reach 43.9% compared to 29.0% in the previous year. The percentage of psychological difficulties also increased among workers in their thirties, reaching 26.8%.
This increase reflects the emerging challenges that young people face in the work environment and may be due to reasons such as increased psychological pressures at work, social tension, or economic changes. Highlighting this issue reflects a positive shift in work culture where attention to mental health is considered important. Companies’ efforts to support employees who face mental health problems come as assistance and guidance within the framework of balance and care to improve the quality of life within the work environment.
This development in the rate of teenage workers indicates a relative stability in the difficulties faced by these employees over recent years. However, the transition from remote work to back-to-office is one factor that may impact the work experience for younger workers.
The period of remote work during the Corona pandemic did not allow for building personal relationships or developing skills in the same way that was possible in the real work environment. Therefore, when young workers return to workplaces after the pandemic, it makes it difficult for them to adapt to new changes and transitions in the actual working environment and social relations within companies.
It is important that companies adopt strategies and support for these young workers to address the new challenges associated with their return to physical workplaces. This can include training on adapting to the new work environment and providing psychosocial support to promote smooth integration within operational teams.
There appear to be noticeable changes in companies’ attitudes towards employees’ mental health, especially after the Corona pandemic. The percentage of companies reporting an increase in psychological problems among employees has declined since 2006, reaching a low in the 2021 survey at 22.9%. But it rose again in the latest poll.
This change may be a result of major changes in the way of working and the working environment after the Corona pandemic, which has led to an increase in psychological challenges faced by employees. These changes in the work environment, such as the transition from in-office to remote work or changes in schedules, may have affected the mental health and work balance of employees.
Monitoring these changes resulting from the Corona pandemic and their potential impact on workers’ mental health is essential. If this sudden increase in psychological issues continues, companies may need to review their policies and strategies to support the mental health and wellbeing of employees and ensure they have the support needed to adapt to the ongoing changes in the work environment. The center stated that it is necessary to closely monitor whether this sudden increase is temporary due to these major changes or whether it constitutes a new trend.
The center conducted the survey between July and September 2023. The survey was mailed to 2,847 companies and received responses from 169 companies. This is the eleventh survey of its kind, which has been conducted approximately every two years since 2002.
(Original text in Japanese, translation from English, title image from © Pixta)
Japanese companies
Psychological health
the health
Japanese youth
2023-12-12 22:00:02
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