The human society operates in circle, this is how it has always been. It is becoming hard to tell, which comes first; is it a problem or solution? it might sound ironic but I want you to think with me. For every solution we invent, there is a problem we are looking forward to solve. It becomes clearer when we think of it from a different angle. What if the solution we are desperately in search of, is not needed? what if we never created a problem that needs solution in the first place?
You might be thinking, what exactly am I blabbing about but I just want you to see a pattern of the dysfunctional nature of the human society. The problems we have are a result of a solution we found and solutions are as a result of the problems we created. Are you seeing the bigger picture already? If you are not, Let me simplify it.
In every organization, work place, there is a protocol in place to ensure we humans are comfortable at work and at our best. We humans are not machines, which means occasionally we are prone to get ill. In order to prevent us from breaking down while at work, provisions have been made. This is where sick leave comes in, all that is needed is to get doctors notes to confirm the nature of your sickness and submit it to your boss and it is settled. Though the situation differs based on organization structure and the provisions provided by the constitution.
Here comes the tricky part, while people see a provision that helps employees, others see an opportunity for exploitation. We are humans and we are dubious beings. In every organization, there will surely be someone who thinks he or she is smarter than everyone. Most times, the sick leave does not really emphasize on the kind of sickness that deserves it, with good relations with anyone in the medical field, any employee can get a doctor's report to legitimize their need for a sick leave.
They jeopardize their work colleagues for their selfish interest. Imagine everyone faking a sickness, who will be left to get the work done? I'm not saying, we don't have people with genuine reason for a sick leave but we also have people who take advantage of it. Now speaking of mental health leave, it is actually a good thing. I mean, if you think of how people struggle with all kind of mental stress at work and barely have time to sort it out.
Here comes the bitter truth, a country such ours is a huge source for mental stress. In fact, every single thing is an issue, there is a high chance that most employees get stressed about the economy than work. Think about it, going to work in the morning, getting stuck in traffic. Going home and still getting stuck in traffic, is that not enough to stress anyone mentally? Some people have had to rent apartment close to work or live with their friends just to make going to work more conducive.
Imagine living home on Mondays and coming back on weekends. Imagine what kind of effect It would have on those with families. As if that is not bad enough, there are some work place that actually stress their employees to the point of death, due to demands or nature of work. Try banks, I wonder if people care about the mental health of customer care representatives, those people face the highest criticism from customers.
Now to think they deserve a mental health leave, is actually cool. But what will be the criteria for it? What is the level of mental stress a person must experience or what kind of symptoms will be seen, to grant an employee a mental health leave? how do we ascertain that the mental stress comes from work not personal stuff? Knowing how easy it is for people to get stressed mentally, believe me, everyone will be requesting for mental health leave every single day.
To think people would not take advantage of it, is an understatement. In our aim to provide a solution, we would be creating a problem. It will definitely not be an issue for employees, more leaves doesn't disturb their pay. What about employers who have to pay for those hours unworked for? I'm in for a mandatory mental health leave, for every employee but to make it available at employees request, people will see it as means of getting more leaves without working.
This write-up was inspired by weekly featured content titled For your mental health in hive learners community.
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