45% Feel Depressed at Work, Poll Shows

By Park Hyong-ki

Staff Reporter

More than two out of every five employees feel it difficult to keep a smile on their faces when they go to work in the morning, showing signs of depression and a lack of enthusiasm.

In a joint survey of 1,036 employees nationwide by Job Korea, a recruitment Web site, and Bizmon, a business information service provider, some 460 salaried men and women said they feel very much alive once they are out of office and away from their superiors. The survey was conducted April 5-13.

One of the main reasons behind their low morale at work is due to the companies' uncertain future and vision as expressed by over 43 percent, followed by those who said they feel unsatisfied with their position and work.

The rest cited the companies' lack of providing welfare benefits, low paychecks, bad relations with their bosses and colleagues, too much pressure as well as responsibility from their workload and deteriorating health.

The survey showed women employees are more depressed at work than men, with 65 percent of 322 female workers and 35 percent of 714 men saying this.

Those in their 20s and 30s in the ranks of regular staff and assistant managers were most unhappy going into the office every morning, followed by those in their 40s and 50s who work usually as managers and executives.

To relieve the symptoms of depression and distress, about 20 percent find that smoking and drinking are the best way to lift their spirits, while 17 percent said spending time in education programs like foreign language courses for self-development fends off the blues.

The remaining respondents said they try to smooth things out by talking with their families, colleagues and friends, preparing for a job change or taking up sports or religion.

A Job Korea official advised that communicating about individual worries with others best helps remedy workers' depression.

phk@koreatimes.co.kr