The workload of computer system engineers and mental health

Abstract

The nature of labor in Japan is changing from work which is physically demanding to work in which mental activity requiring intellectual and psychological ability results in production. The author studied and analyzed the type of workload experienced by system engineers in informatics. The results of a health study of 2,396 system design engineers in informatics at our company were analyzed (only data on 2,169 males were analyzed). Workload related to the 'quality', or type of work done ('Workload of quality') was felt by 63.5%, with 36.0% feeling workload related to the amount of work ('Workload of quantity'). A very large number of workers felt workload related to the quality, or type of work rather than to the amount of work. The relationship between emotional health indices and workload showed insomnia in 25.5% of workers who felt a 'Workload of quality', and in 11.1% of those who did not feel such a workload. Similarly, depressive mood was seen in 40.3% of workers who felt a 'Workload of quality', and in 18.7% of workers who did not. Insomnia was seen in 42.8% of workers with a feeling of a 'Workload of quality', and in 26.3% of those without. The relationship between workload, related to the quality and quantity of work was also strong for other mental health indices. Workload related to the quality of work was particularly strong. Workload related to the quality or type or work comes from a myriad of factors including the variety of work required from workers in informatics, the still developing nature of the production process, and the rapid pace of technical progress with each type of work carrying a different set of factors. The ability and personality of each individual worker also plays an important role. The results of the survey showed the importance of carrying out occupational healthcare activities in health management from the standpoint of work related health hazards or "quality of work"; in other words, from the standpoint of work type, system operation and the individuality of the worker.