Abstract
Background: Many governments have phased out direct charity for community welfare and have now shifted towards development. Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) are the mainly assisting governments in the shift towards development. Lesotho has around 150 NGOs focusing on agriculture, the environment and natural resources, economic justice, democracy and human rights, disaster management and humanitarian relief, health and social development, and women and children protection. Since the NGO tenure is normally short, they offer better salaries than public organizations or government, which attracts most of the skilled workers. Most of these NGOs receive funding from overseas countries, and this funding usually comes with tight timelines and limited resources. The limitation in resources brings challenges such as working under pressure, increased scope of work to meet the demands of the donor, and working overtime, all of which lead to neglect of family/peers and increased occupational stress and morbidity.
Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the effects of increased workload on the mental health of employees in a selected donor-funded NGO in Maseru, Lesotho. This study assessed the prevalence of increased workload, the effects of increased workload, and the factors contributing to these effects, as well as their relationship with employee’s mental health.
Methodology: A quantitative, cross-sectional study was conducted, using an online questionnaire (Google Forms) to gather data. The questionnaire was administered through a census method, including all employees working in the donor-funded projects (n=144) at the selected NGO. The response rate was 76% (n=109), calculated by dividing returned forms by the total population (n =144) and multiplying by 100. After data collection, the data was prepared and analysed using IBM SPSS version 29.0. Analysis by objectives was performed using descriptive analysis (frequencies and percentages), pie charts, chi-square tests, and logical regression models.
Results and discussion: The findings were most respondents were females (67.7%) and the majority worked in Maseru (40.4%). Few held diploma or high school qualifications (11.1%), while the majority (71.6%) were bachelor’s degree holders. Respondents aged 18-34 years were 40 (36.7%), those aged 35-44 years were 48 (44%), and those aged 45-64 years were 21 (19.3%). The study identified a workload prevalence of 76% at the selected organization. Among respondents, 64.2% were active in sports, while 35.8% were not. Increased workload was significantly associated with recurrent back pain, blurred eyesight, and depressive disorder
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(77%). Predisposing factors included a) environmental factors such as lack of emotional and social support and limited wellness interventions, and b) the health factors including recurrent back pain, blurred eyesight, and depressive disorder. Results showed associations between length of employment (p=0.041), depressive disorder (p=0.034), emotional drainage/burnout (p=0.001), and limited social support (p=0.038). Increased workload was high (76%) and linked to several comorbidities that deteriorates employees’ health and mental wellbeing. Recommendations included reviewing staff workload during organizational changes (e.g., introduction of new programs) and revising wellness guidelines informed by staff union feedback.
Conclusion: The prevalence of increased workload affecting the mental health of employees was high. Job stressors and several comorbidities (recurrent back pain, depressive disorder, and blurred eyesight) were linked to increased workload and the mental health of employees. Work environment, organizational leadership, and individual responses to stress were significantly associated with workload. Workload should be regularly monitored, especially during changes, which is feasible as most employees are located in Maseru near the national office, allowing random assessment and/or observations. This will help the organization develop strategies supporting healthy work-life balance and identify needs-based training for employees and management.