The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) reports that Mexico leads the world in the number of hours worked, with each worker putting in an average of 2,137 hours per year. This is almost double the number seen in other developed countries like the United States and Canada. However, despite this high number of hours, Mexico’s productivity is not as high as it could be. According to the OECD, the contribution to GDP per hour worked in Mexico is only $22.2 dollars per hour. In comparison, countries with fewer working hours like the United States contribute $77.1 dollars per hour and Ireland contributes $109.5 dollars per hour.
Productivity is a complex issue that cannot solely be determined by the number of hours worked. Factors such as work culture, attention to psychosocial risks, and care for employee mental health are also important components of productivity. Workplace presenteeism is a growing problem that affects both employees and companies. This refers to when a worker attends their job but their performance is subpar due to factors such as excessive workloads, stress, anxiety, depression, burnout or negative work environments.
Affor Health, a consulting firm specializing in psychosocial preventive management, notes that workplace presenteeism can have a significant impact on company productivity. Neglecting psychosocial risks in the workplace can trigger presenteeism and reduce overall productivity levels. As companies navigate the return to the office post-COVID-19, many are reevaluating their processes and recognizing that simply responding to emails does not equate to productivity – which is more closely linked to mental health and organizational climate.
To address this issue head-on
