By Leslie Ann Aquino
Labor groups on Tuesday called on employers to address "burnout" at work.
This after the World Health Organization classified burnout as a medical condition.
"Burnout has never received the proper attention it deserves, especially among short-minded employers who can’t see beyond their profit margins. In truth, chronic workplace stress is a killer, literally and figuratively, and should be stumped out as soon as possible," Josua Mata, secretary general of Sentro, said.
"One of the best ways to do so is to eradicate contractual labor in the country by passing the security of tenure law.
After all, what could be more stressful than worrying about being unemployed due to lack of job security?" he added.
Federation of Free Workers (FFW( Vice President Julius Cainglet said it would be better if employers put more premium on workers' safety and health in general, and mental health in particular.
"This is a big challenge since a lot of employers find it difficult to comply with existing basic standards," he said.
Cainglet added: the occupational safety and health culture really has to change.
Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) spokesman Alan Tanjusay said there should Department Order should be issued by DOLE that will spell out the rules and regulations for the protection of workers suffering from burnout.
"Employers should have work environment diversification program and employees' recreational program in place, wherein employees are routinely reassigned to different branches, attend seminars and retraining with new techniques in doing the work. Employees should also be treated to routine paid rest and recreational activities,“ he said.
WHO defined burnout as "a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed".