Want it, but can’t take Stress Leave

BENGALURU: Bengaluru is known for its skillful IT workforce, but there is not enough discussion about the stress they face every day. Recently, a city-based healthcare startup Docsapp introduced a Stress Day Off.

Any employee feeling weighed down can apply for it, as their sick leave, but the company representative says that there is no restriction on the number of days they can take off from work. Would other Bengalureans welcome such a move by their employers?
Yes, say most people City Express spoke to. But they would think twice before applying for it, they say that citing any ‘mental’ distress could affect appraisals.

Debosmita, IT professional, says that she suffers in silence the overtime. “I would take the day off if it was possible, why can’t Stress Day Off be made law?”
IT professionals like Nalini wish that the “stigma” around reporting “mental agony” would disappear. ”I do not understand why people would judge you if you have a mental discomfort,” she says. “Isn’t it natural?”

Senthil, another software engineer who works in a company on Outer Ring Road, agrees with Nalini. “A cold or fever is considered for sick leave, but there is hesitation in giving a day off for any mental affliction,” he says.

Work is not the only stressor in the city, there are people who agonise over traffic. Mandeep, who works in an advertising firm in Electronic City, says, “There is not much pressure at work but the stress builds up in city traffic. I stay in Yelahanka and it takes almost two and a half hours to reach home. Long traffic jams at Silk Board, MG Road and Hebbal have taken a toll on my nervous system and jolty rides have wrecked my back”.

Salesperson Fayaz wants to quit because his boss is verbally abusive. “He does not listen to the reason and continuously puts pressure on us to meet targets. It is affecting my personal life”. He says he would take the day off if there was one available over stress. “I would spend the day with my three-year-old son,” says Fayaz.

Ishita, who works in a designing firm, says, “I would do yoga and take a walk with my dog on my Stress Day off, if there was one… there is too much work and deadlines are tight, I am okay with this most days, but one day off would be good”.

Across spectrum
There is stress in blue-collar work too. Bus conductor Gopi says, “People think we only sit around, but the route I service is long and there is overcrowding in buses. Then there are people who don’t pay for their ride”.

‘Health covers physical and mental well being’
Supriya Rathi, marketing manager of Docsapp, says, “The company is about healthcare and our founders are passionate about it. Anyone having problem, be it mentally or physically are duly taken care of.” The company decided on this leave to provide relief from stress and depression which affects any working professional. Few of the employees have already taken the Stress Day Off, though the company did not give the numbers.