66 per cent feel down because of work or economy
The third Monday in January is said to be the most depressing day of the year and Canadians have even more to be depressed about this year because of the lagging economy, according to a recent survey.
This year, Blue Monday fell on Jan. 19. The reasons for the day's depressive overtones include broken new year's resolutions, bad weather and stacks of holiday bills. But this year, worries about a poor economic climate and job security have given Canadians more reason to feel down in the dumps.
The second annual Workplace Blues Survey, commissioned by Everest College, a career college with several campuses in Ontario, found 23 per cent of respondents are fearful about losing their jobs. Most (42 per cent) blame the economy for giving them the biggest case of the blues, while 24 per cent blame their jobs.
The survey of 619 working adults found more respondents are unhappy on the job compared to last year, with 71 per cent saying they suffer at least occasional bouts of work-induced blues, up from 63 per cent last year.
More than one-half of respondents (57 per cent) say they aren't optimistic about getting a promotion in the coming year and 33 per cent are afraid they won't be able find a new job if they look for one.
Blues by the numbers
• 18- to 24-year-olds are more likely to have a case of the workplace blues (49 per cent), while those over 50 were the least likely (17 per cent)
• 24 per cent of women and 23 per cent of men said work gives them the blues
• 23 per cent say not being able to get ahead is the most depressing thing about their job, with more men (27 per cent) than women (19 per cent)
• 23 per cent also say pay is the most depressing thing about their job, with more women (26 per cent) than men (19 per cent)
• 39 per cent of respondents from Ontario are doubtful they could find a new job in the next year, the most pessimistic of the provinces, while only 17 per cent of Albertans are doubtful, the most optimistic of the provinces
• 30 per cent of single Canadians are worried about losing their jobs compared to only 19 per cent of those who are married
