The Hidden Costs of Depression

As we've long suspected, work environments that fail to recognize (or which may actually contribute to) employee depression cost employers big bucks in the long run.

Benefitnews.com - Information for HR and Benefit Directors and other Employee Benefit Plan Sponsors and Advisers: "some of the highest costs related to depression are the indirect costs, primary among them productivity losses. Based on the Work Loss Data Institute Official Disability Guidelines, an employee case of depression could result in two to three weeks of lost work time or $1,500 per case per year at an average daily wage. But this undoubtedly understates the productivity costs since with a disease like depression, the real problem is 'presenteeism' - people at work but limited in their ability to produce or participate - the costs of which are difficult to measure."