This article aims at commenting on depressive episodes or disorders related to work encouraging reflection on the theme and making it easier to understand. In a brief way it discourses about some of the conditions in the work context which may favor the occurence of depressive episodes in workers who experience such conditions. The proposed objectives were achieved by examining the relevant literature and by making use preferably of both national and international primary as well as secondary sources, in the period from 1984 to 2008. We believe that, as soon as we have a better discernment of the work activities, we will be able to understand the workers' subjective experiences. As a result, more concrete possibilities to make them objective will emerge making the complex relationship between mental health and work easier to understand. This relationship, if dealt in a multi-professional manner, will show it is possible to work without harming health. Thus, it relies on the form and the conditions of this work organization. It is part of the organizations duties to review not only the labor dysfunctional environmental and organizational conditions, but also their managerial models, making those practices which promote the health of their workers feasible.
work; depression; causality; mental disorders