For 30 CPWD employees, de-stressing made compulsory

The circular announcing the workshop also states that those not attending should provide a genuine reason.

CPWD will be organising stress-busting workshops for its employees.

To help its officials perform better, the Central Public Works Department has organised a stress-management workshop at its training institute in Ghaziabad next month. But, in its enthusiasm to “de-stress” employees and ensure they are in “good health”, the civic body went one step ahead and shortlisted 30 candidates, making it compulsory for them to attend the programme.

In fact, the circular announcing the workshop, scheduled for August 11-12, clearly states that the “30 candidates” are mandated to attend it. “If such officials cannot participate in the training, genuine reasons should be given for it,” the circular stated.

The civic body, however, said the officials were selected at random. “CPWD officials are given an option to participate in such workshops. But the training institute often shortlists officials randomly from all zones. The requirement for shortlisting candidates is that they should not have participated in such workshops before,” an official of the CPWD said.

Stating that employees needed to maintain good health in the face of increasing stress at work, CPWD officials said such workshops were organised every few months and 25-30 officials had to compulsorily attend it. “The idea is to bring down stress levels in the lives of the participants so that they can perform better and lead healthier lives. Such workshops are organised in Mumbai, Calcutta and Chennai too. We also teach yoga to help participants relax and improve concentration…,’’ an official said.

According to officials, “religious discourses and meditation” too were part of the “course material” of these stress-management workshops. Officials from all ranks and divisions, including maintenance and electric works, are shortlisted to participate.

“Three to four days is not enough for stress management courses. This is a vast issue but we try to do what we can. The officials also live on-campus during this period,” the official said.

“We also provide a pick-up service from various Metro stations. The participants are required to carry pen drives so we can provide them with soft copy of the material,’’ the official said.

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