90% Fortune companies set up EAP

Hyderabad, Mar 10 (UNI) Experts at a seminar ''Relevance of Psychological Support in the Knowledge-based industry'' organised by NASSCOM said more than 90 per cent Fortune-1000 companies have an Employee Assistance Programme' (EAP), but in India it is still a cultural barrier.

Participating in the seminar, PPC Worldwide India, Chief Operating Officer Anna Oldman said that in the west, EAP provides easily accessible, professional support to employees and their family members. Helplines are provided on a fully confidential basis.

She said ''Half of the employees absenteeism in the US is stress related and two out of ten were suffering from clinical depression. More than 54 million Americans have a mental disorder in an year, although eight million seek treatment.'' Referring to awareness of the need for psychological support to employees in India, Dr Anna said that in India HR recognise the importance of addressing psychological issues effectively.

She said Indian employees are highly motivated and developed new skills. ''However, accessing psychological support is still a barrier. It is still a complex relationship between work and individual well-being'', she added.

PPC Worldwide, India, Director of Clinical Practice S Kalyanasundaram said employees working in knowledge-based industries, such as, IT/ITES/BPO are suffering from mindstress and it is a serious psychatric disease.

He said this happens when brain cannot take the required amount of work. ''Symptoms of stress and depression are like changes in attitude and behaviour of a person, which has to be taken seriously.

It is generally seen as a stigma in the Indian context if somebody seeks psychological help. Stress and depression can be treated by a doctor'', he added.

Dr Kalyanasundaram said stress and depression can be under check, if one improves the lifestyle management, work environment and develop technique of relaxation.

Tiger Database Systems India Private Limited Director of Training Seth Appel said that in the recent past dynamics of Labour market in India has changed.

He said India achieved unprecedented economic growth in the present situation.

''The importance of work force in India has been recognised globally. People here are highly motivated and hard working to improve their skills. It is challenge to companies to maitain the well-being of their qualified work force in India. People have to realise that short-term results cannot be desired at the cost of long-term wellbeing of the employees'', he added.

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