The effective management of personnel is crucial for firms if they are going to get the very most from their workers. As part of this, a rising number of bosses are taking advantage of the 360 degree appraisal.
Meanwhile, it may also be important for managers to keep an eye out for signs of depression among their staff members. After all, unhappy staff members might be unable to function effectively, so it is in both individuals’ and companies’ interests to tackle such problems.
According to the European Depression Association (EDA), one in ten workers have taken time off because of depression. It commissioned a Mori survey of 7,000 people in seven European countries.
Those located in Britain, Denmark and Germany were most likely to be off work because of depression and, overall, 20 per cent of respondents had received a diagnosis of depression at some point in their lives. The highest rate was found in the UK, where 26 per cent of individuals fell into their category. In contrast, Italy had the lowest rate at 12 per cent.
It was also found that individuals sometimes neglect to tell their employers about their depression. A quarter of respondents with the condition had kept it secret and one in three of these people said they were worried it could put their jobs at risk.
Commenting on the findings, EDA president Dr Vincenzo Costigliola said: “The results of the survey show that much needs to be done in raising awareness and supporting employees and employers in recognising and managing depression in the workplace.
“We ask policymakers to consider the impact of depression on the workforce and charge them with addressing depression and workers and workplace safety.”
The effective monitoring of workers is important on many levels. It can help to protect employees’ wellbeing and by utilising techniques like the 360 degree feedback, managers can find it easier to boost the levels of skill and dedication exhibited by their personnel. By picking up on unexpected or unusual feedback through the 360 process, managers can hopefully pick up on some of the signs of stress or depression and take action before the issue becomes too serious.
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