Health issues in the Call Center

The result of intense, stressful work can be an effect on workers' health. There are often high absenteeism and sick leave are reported in the literature, although there is relatively little exploration of these issues, particularly in relation to turnover. Usually, authors provide a short list of known health issues. For example, writes Richardson, Belt and Marshall that "Health concerns have been expressed, including tension, insomnia, headaches, eye strain, repetitive strain injury (RSI), voice loss, hearing problems and burn-out", but that they do not develop it item. More detailed descriptions of causes and effects of these diseases can be found in industry and trade unions reports. For example, the Trades Union Council (TUC) in its pamphlet on call center workers, aimed to quote the major diseases that call center employees tend "back strain and RSI, stress, eyestrain, and voice and hearing loss."

Even in Britain, the authorities have been proactive in their study of industry, issued a bulletin on the HSE call center regulations, health risks and best practices in December 2001. They looked especially in health, including stress, noise, musculoskeletal disorders (such as back problems) and voice loss, and also on-screen questions, the working environment, requirements for workstations, daily work routines, training, organizational work practices and rostering system.

Sleep disorders:

No prizes for guessing the most serious diseases that afflict people who work in Indian call centers. Since this is a unique Indian problem, again, no solution seems in sight. Obviously this affects first timers more seriously as they take time to acclimatize to their biological clocks, but even experienced employees or managers are not quite get out of it. Some call centers seeking to develop innovative mechanisms to smooth shift of beds in office space as possible solutions.

Digestive system disorders:

Work long and odd hours without sleep, and eat food provided by outside caterers everyday life, has led to 41.9% of respondents who suffer from digestive problems. Especially for the large number of girls working in the industry, the problem is even more serious. Many call centers are now taking extra care to ensure their caterers provide food hygiene lays down strict conditions to maintain quality of the food they serve.

Depression:

In last year's survey, it was not among the greatest suffering, but this year has climbed up the chart, which affects almost one quarter of respondents. Not surprising since, as the industry matures, the original glitter and glamor wears away and the real problems to light. Not only is there more health-related issues, but in addition, that the gradual realization that there is limited development of a career because of fewer growth opportunities are increasing frustration levels. Combined with increasing mental fatigue and still punish physical environments, depression is the obvious end result. Some call centers have now developed various stress management programs, primarily to combat depression.

Severe stomach problems:

Continued problems with digestion, cause serious gastrointestinal disorders like gastroenteritis, which was approved by more than 24% of respondents. Even doctors in major cities agreements in recent times many of the patients with various stomach ailments are from call centers.

Vision problems:

Global call center employees in the industry considered a high risk group for eye-related problems. While the quality of monitors can affect these disorders, sit all the time without adequate breaks seem to be truer reason. The number of people affected appears to be increasing, last year only 19% complained of years has gone up to 23%. At one time, also this problem plaguing IT services, but the call center industry, no remedy seems to be in sight.

Ear Problems:

More than 16% of respondents say they have hearing problems. Again, no surprises here, as a call center job is to receive calls throughout the work period, sit with headphones. While the quality of the headphones makes a difference, it would not be entirely correct to wish the problem away by thinking that changing headphones will solve it.