October Health – 2025 Report

Work stress in India

The leading cause of work stress in India, at the population level, is primarily due to **job insecurity and high workload demands**. Factors include long working hours, pressure to meet targets, lack of work-life balance, and fear of unemployment in a competitive job market. Employers can address these by promoting clear communication, manageable workloads, and supportive environments; digital group sessions from platforms like October can help employees collectively build resilience and coping strategies.

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Work stress Prevalence
24.38%
Affected people
13,409,000

Impact on the people of India

  • Physical Health:

    • Increased risk of hypertension, heart disease, and stroke
    • Weakened immune system leading to frequent illnesses
    • Headaches, muscle tension, and gastrointestinal problems

  • Mental Health:

    • Higher likelihood of anxiety, depression, and burnout
    • Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
    • Sleep disturbances such as insomnia

  • Personal Life:

    • Strained relationships due to irritability and withdrawal
    • Reduced time and energy for family and leisure activities
    • Lower overall life satisfaction and happiness

Workplace support suggestion:
Encourage companies to use platforms like October for digital group sessions and assessments to manage work stress and improve employees’ mental well-being.

Impact on the India Economy

Effects of High Work Stress on an Economy

  • Reduced Productivity: Stressed employees tend to have lower focus and efficiency, leading to decreased overall workplace output.
  • Increased Absenteeism and Presenteeism: High stress causes more sick leaves and employees working while unwell, both harming economic performance.
  • Higher Healthcare Costs: Stress-related illnesses lead to increased medical expenses covered by employers and public health services.
  • Employee Turnover: Stress contributes to burnout and resignations, increasing recruitment and training costs.
  • Lower Innovation and Quality: Mental fatigue reduces creativity and error rates rise, affecting product/service quality.
  • Economic Inequality: Stress can exacerbate disparities by disproportionately affecting lower-income workers with fewer support resources.

Employers in India can mitigate these effects by investing in mental health programs, such as digital group sessions and assessments offered by platforms like October, to support employee wellbeing and maintain a healthier, more productive workforce.

What can government do to assist?

Strategies for a Country to Lower Work Stress

  1. Implement Labor Regulations

    • Enforce reasonable working hours and mandatory breaks.
    • Regulate overtime pay and limit excessive workloads.

  2. Promote Mental Health Awareness

    • Run nationwide campaigns to destigmatize mental health issues.
    • Encourage employers to integrate mental health support at workplaces.

  3. Support Work-Life Balance

    • Encourage flexible working hours, remote work options.
    • Promote paid parental leave and vacation benefits.

  4. Improve Access to Mental Health Services

    • Increase availability of affordable, workplace-friendly counseling.
    • Provide digital mental health resources and tools (e.g., apps, group sessions).

  5. Encourage Employer Involvement

    • Offer incentives for companies providing mental health programs.
    • Facilitate partnerships with digital platforms like October for group sessions and assessments.

  6. Enhance Job Security & Working Conditions

    • Implement policies to reduce job insecurity and workplace harassment.
    • Improve ergonomics and workplace environment.

These steps help create healthier workplaces at a systemic level, reducing work stress across the population.

What can businesses do to assist their employees? 

 Ways to Lower Work Stress in a Company

1. **Promote Open Communication**
   - Encourage employees to share concerns without fear.
   - Regular feedback sessions between management and staff.

2. **Implement Flexible Work Policies**
   - Allow flexible hours or remote work options.
   - Help employees balance work and personal life.

3. **Provide Mental Health Resources**
   - Offer access to counseling services or digital mental health platforms like October for group sessions and assessments.
   - Conduct workshops on stress management and resilience.

4. **Encourage Breaks and Time Off**
   - Ensure employees take regular breaks during work hours.
   - Promote use of vacation days and mental health leave.

5. **Create a Supportive Work Environment**
   - Foster teamwork and social support among colleagues.
   - Reduce unnecessary workload and set realistic deadlines.

Using tools like October's digital group sessions can particularly help create a culture of awareness and shared coping strategies across teams.