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According to a study published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, poor work culture, especially a low team spirit increases the risk of depression among employees. It was found that workers who perceived a poor team spirit in their workplace were over 60% more likely to develop depression, and were over 50% more likely to take antidepressants. The study was based on a survey covering 3,347 Finnish workers, aged between 30 and 64.

The employees were asked specific questions about the work culture at their company, including team spirit, communication, the level of control their jobs offered them, and responsiveness to their demands.

The workers were also asked to rate their working environment on the following aspects:

• Degree of encouragement and support shown to fresh ideas
• Level of conservatism
• Friendliness and cordiality
• Discord and hostility

Against this backdrop, the subjects were then monitored for ailments such as anxiety, depression, and alcohol abuse. Information on use of antidepressants by these employees over three years was also collected from official records.

The authors say that depression and anxiety are quite widespread in the workforce. They are also responsible for a substantial amount of absence and inability to work.

The authors drew attention to the fact that though mental health problems have not seen a major jump in Finland in the recent past, the use of antidepressants in the country has increased seven times, between 1990 and 2005. The authors argued that it would be a better approach to tackle the causes of the problems, instead of focusing on the remedies.

Keep up-to-date with health and safety regulations that can save employees from serious injury and avoid court procedures that can cost companies many thousands of pounds. Visit the Workplace Law website for all the information you need on the nebosh national general certificate which is a good first step to help avoid falling foul of health and safety legalities.