Now here is a worrying statistic for employers – British workers have been found to be the most depressed in Europe.
The Impact of Depression in the Workplace in Europe Audit revealed that 26 per cent of British workers have received such a diagnosis, compared to just 12 per cent in Italy.
And as a consequence, UK employees are much more likely to take time off as a result of depression and also spend longer on sick leave.
The survey found that one in ten employees across Europe has taken time off for depression.
Dr Vincenzo Costigliola, president of the European Depression Association, said more needs to be done in raising awareness and supporting employees.
Employers need to become better at recognising and managing depression in the workplace, he claimed.
And if they want to ensure high attendance rates and maximum productivity within the office, this is undoubtedly true.
Happy workers tend to be the most productive for companies, so it is important that employees are alert to the warning signs of depression.
These include cognitive symptoms such as concentration difficulties, indecisiveness, and forgetfulness, which can impact upon individuals’ quality of work.
Speaking to the Telegraph, Emer O’Neill, chief executive of the charity Depression Alliance, suggested that employers have got much better at this in the last few years.
And in fact, this could be why the UK has emerged at the top of the depression chart – because more actual cases are being diagnosed.
“From our perspective, we are having much more contact with employers, which is a good thing,” she stated.
