The modern office, as we know it today, has been shaped by several years of history. From the industrial revolution to the present day digital revolution, a lot has changed. While employees today enjoy certain benefits that were unknown earlier, like remote work and emails, there are some things that have gotten worse!
In a survey by the American Psychological Association, more than 1 in 5 workers said that their mental health was harmed at work. The survey discovered reported alarming statistics about verbal and physical violence, abuse and harassment in the workplace. In this article, we will look at the perils of modern work culture and how they impact our health.
The modern American office
Smaller spaces
The modern office, as we know it today, has been heavily influenced by its history. But there are two interesting changes that we see in the way things are run now. First, cut throat competition and dwindling profits have made business ventures lean and heavily focused on revenue.
Unconventional interiors are increasingly becoming popular among modern offices. For example, the concept of an ‘agile workspace’ has caught the attention of many startups and co-working spaces. Such spaces feature modular and mobile furniture, open concept offices, designated quiet zones and communal workspaces, etc. Basically these spaces can be quickly reorganized to meet the changing needs of the users.
Lesser distances
Secondly, as a result of this trimming down of costs, offices have become smaller. People are increasingly opting for cost-effective alternatives like virtual offices, co-working spaces, shared spaces, home offices, mixed use buildings, and so on.
As the office space gets smaller, it is interesting to see how the power distance and hierarchy of a traditional office are reducing. CEOs and managers no longer sit in spacious cabins on top floors. In most companies, except for the really established ones, bosses are reducing the distance between themselves and their employees.
You can see this trend in the kind of egalitarian, relatively casual, friendly relations that people share in modern offices. Startups and new ventures emphasize on discarding traditional hierarchies and office practices. They value free flow of ideas, open communication, open office spaces, and more space for brainstorming and creativity.
Remote work
Remote work is no longer an optional luxury, it is a commonly offered arrangement that employees expect from their organizations. With widespread globalization, companies are expanding their talent search across geographical boundaries.
Naturally, employees can’t always be expected to move places and make long commutes to come to office. Employees also find it easier to access opportunities that were earlier not available due to distance restrictions.
Hybrid work models
Remote work is not limited to geographically distant employees. Even those who live in the same city prefer to work from home on certain days of the week. It is remarkable to see how technology has reduced the work day to a few emails, calls and meetings. In fact, the office space no longer is a pre-requisite for any company to run.
Earlier, physical workspaces had a functional significance, meaning that they were absolutely necessary for work to happen. Today, they serve different needs. Although physical offices are losing their functional importance, people have realized that remote work is not always a viable option.
Physical proximity to co-workers boosts morale and serves as an important form of social support. When people work together, they feel like they are trying to achieve certain shared goals. It motivates them to focus better during the day. Moreover, when work and personal life is properly divided like this, there is better work life balance- we will talk more about it in the next section.
Drawbacks of modern work culture
There are many things to be grateful for in modern employment and work practices. Better access to opportunities, more emphasis on employee well-being (somewhat), more opportunities for women (again, somewhat), and so on.
At the same time, these new practices have brought up new problems. Difficulty in striking work life balance, a cruel corporate culture, fragile economy, monopolization by industry giants, are just some things at the tip of the iceberg!
Work life balance (?)
It is a common complaint among employees that their bosses overwork and underpay them. This is not a new problem- in fact, it was even more pronounced back in the 90s. But it is alarming to see that nothing has been done to solve it.
With increased performance pressure and competition, it has only gotten worse. Employees are expected to work over time without pay, otherwise it is considered that they are not serious about their job. Hesitation in granting leaves, giving work on holidays, calling after work hours, etc. are small ways in which managers violate the work life boundaries of employees.
Burnout and fatigue
According to the World Health Organization, burnout is depletion of energy, a sense of mental distance from one’s job and reduced professional efficacy. Basically, burnout is feeling mentally exhausted to the point where no amount of rest makes you feel relaxed.
Most of us have certain leisure activities that help us recharge after a tiring day of work. Eating comfort foods, taking long naps, skin care, spending time with loved ones, are some of them. But when people are hit by burnout, these activities no longer have the intended effect.
Stress induced ailments
The field of health psychology has devoted years of research to how stress affects the body. Stress is not just in the mind, it has a real, lasting impact on different bodily systems like respiration, digestion and immune system.
Health psychologists have found that stress is linked to diabetes, cancer, obesity, and such other illnesses. These are called chronic lifestyle illnesses, because they are caused by our daily health-related behaviors, and they cannot be cured in one shot- they have to be managed over a period of several years.
Researchers have found that these illnesses have become more common over the years. As more people opt for a sedentary lifestyle, our bodies remain inactive for most of the day. The stress of deadlines and targets, without relaxation and physical activity, is weighing down hard on our health.
Productivity pressures
The modern work culture is fueled by competition. No matter how unique an idea is, there is always the threat of someone else doing it better, faster and at a cheaper price. This cut throat competition has evolved into a sort of hustle culture. People are encouraged to overwork themselves and ignore their health, as a part of the ‘hustle’.
Corporations are tightening schedules, increasing their expectations, and overworking their employees. Their eyes are on the company share price, and nobody is looking at employee satisfaction.
How to cope?
- Open conversations and support systems
- Counseling and psychotherapy services in the office
- Regular check-ins with co-workers and subordinates about their mental health
- Workshops and seminars on coping and stress management
If you find yourself facing issues like these in your workplace, approach your co-workers and superiors and pitch an initiative for mental health. Small steps go a long way in making the office a comfortable place where people can take care of their health and also be productive!
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