Public sector employees are healthy as compared to their counterparts in the private sector, according to a study done by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry. Chandigarh being no exception, holds the fourth position after Mumbai, Delhi and Ahmedabad afflicted to high level of stress in the private sector.
Due to demanding schedules, high stress levels and performance linked perquisites in private sectors, nearly 85 percent of employees in private sectors are afflicted to life-style, chronic diseases and acute ailment than the government employees ranging below 8 percent says the study.
While releasing the ASSOCHAM survey on “Government vs Private employee health scenario”, D S Rawat, Secretary General ASSOCHAM said, there is due compensation for increased inflation by way of dearness allowance (DA) to government employees whereas, the private sector is by and large out of this facility.”
The findings on the Government employees reveal very positive features ranging from reasonably good health, family stability, cordial relationship etc, adds the survey. The survey further points out there are many schemes in healthcare for Government employees in addition to pension which reflects better health standards in Government jobs.
Around 55 percent of the respondents who participated in the survey fall under the age bracket of 20-29 years, followed by 30-39 years consisting of 26 per cent of the respondents which clearly indicates at the sickening of India’s most productive demography.
“Rising cases of marital disputes and distorted relationship contributing to high level of stress as reflected in increased serious health problems”, adds Dr B K Rao, Chairman of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and ASSOCHAM Health Committee.
The increasingly demanding schedules and high stress levels are leading to sleep disorders in private sector. loss of sleep has wide ranging effects including daytime fatigue, physical discomfort, psychological stress, performance deterioration, and low pain threshold increasing absenteeism.
The survey further points out that nearly 45 per cent of the corporate employees in private sector sleep less than 6 hours on a daily basis due to work related pressure.
Around 58 per cent of corporate employees in private sector are deeply concerned about their future health, 38 percent are most of the time fearful regarding their future health conditions and rest 4 percent are not at all fearful about their future health, adds the ASSOCHAM Survey.
According to the survey, only 10 percent employees in private sector have medical insurance, and much of it is inadequate. Nearly all private health service providers require families to spend out-of-pocket at the point of service. This leaves people, highly vulnerable. “Without adequate financial support from the private organization, health remains a major cause of financial insecurity”, says Mr Rawat.
In terms of the physical fitness, it was found that around 57% of the employees in the private organization said they ‘do not exercise at all’.