Role of Mental and Physical Fatigue in Cognitive Failures among Employees of Pharmaceutical Companies

Abstract

The present study aimed to examine the predicting role of physical and mental fatigue in cognitive failures among employees of national and international pharmaceutical companies. It was also intended to determine the influence of various demographics (such as gender and job experience) in relation to study variables. Sample consisted of 406 employees of pharmaceutical companies’ employees with age range of 22– 55 years. Measures of Chalder Fatigue Scale (Chalder et al., 1993) and Workplace Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (Wallace & Chen, 2011) were used to assess the constructs of fatigue and cognitive failures. Results indicated that physical and mental fatigue significantly positively predicted cognitive failures. Findings based on 2x3 ANOVA showed that female employees with lesser job experience exhibited higher levels of mental and physical fatigue and cognitive failures as compared to male employees with extended job experience. Additionally, employees working in international pharmaceutical companies displayed elevated levels of physical fatigue, mental fatigue, and cognitive errors as compared to their counterparts. It was concluded that physical and mental fatigue are significant predictors of cognitive failures in workplace setting of pharmaceutical companies. Being a female with lesser job experience puts an individual at higher risk of developing fatigue whereas; employees in international pharmaceutical companies at a greater risk for experiencing fatigue and cognitive failures.

      Keywords: cognitive failures, mental fatigue, physical fatigue, pharmaceutical companies’ employees