Workplace Stress Hits Executives in Assam Tea Gardens

Guwahati: Tea garden executives across Assam are burning out. A new study from Dibrugarh University shows workplace stress is climbing for staff working under the North East Tea Association. Researchers Pransu Raj Kaushik and Pratim Barua tracked middle and lower-level managers to gauge the pressure. The findings confirm lower-level employees bear the heaviest burden.

Home state matters, but only slightly. While workers from outside Assam reported different stress levels than locals, the gap is not alarming. The job itself is the main culprit. Tea estate work is demanding by design, regardless of where a manager was born. The erosion of long-standing lifestyle benefits has only made the grind harder.

Not all stress is bad. If the environment is right, moderate tension can actually drive better performance and help staff handle tough tasks. Still, the current situation requires better management initiatives to keep the industry sustainable. NETA adviser Bidyananda Barkakoty noted that mental health has historically been ignored in this sector. He said the study "fills an important research gap and could help organisations improve employee welfare, productivity and human resource practices while contributing to the long-term sustainability of the tea industry."