The research is part of the I'm At Work in Europe study on work and mental health. Mental health problems such as depression and anxiety affect half the workforce in Europe and lead to significant financial costs due to lost productivity.
Sijbrandij: 'In the Netherlands, around 20% of employees face mental health problems, ranging from stress and burnout to depression and anxiety disorders. This not only has a negative impact on the employee concerned, but can also lead to higher absenteeism rates and reduced productivity in the workplace.'
Disadvantages digitalisation
The Netherlands is one of the most digitised countries in Europe in terms of working environment and remote working has become increasingly popular in the corona crisis. Besides the advantages in terms of flexibility, there may also be disadvantages to working remotely, notably reduced social engagement, isolation, digital stress and exhaustion that can lead to mental health issues.
Van Vugt: 'This is perhaps most noticeable in SMEs that do not always have sufficient resources and expertise to support the digital transition. This 5-year research project looks at the effectiveness of two types of interventions within SME Netherlands. First, a WHO (World Health Organization) certified leadership training course is being implemented to increase managers' knowledge and competences in recognising and dealing with employees' mental complaints. Second, the effectiveness of a digital stress management programme for employees is being investigated.'
