Survey shows workplace stress is adding up, but still not easy to talk about
CINCINNATI (WKRC) - Mental health isn't an easy thing to talk about at work for many, according to recent research, but a few recommendations might make it a little easier to cope.
A new survey shows stress on the job is adding to a lot of people's mental health struggles, and indicates workers want employers to step up their support.
The survey found discussing mental health in the workplace is still a taboo topic for some employees.
To find out what employers are doing to try to offer support, JobSage surveyed more than 1,000 Americans. The survey found:
- Mental health has prompted 41 percent of Americans to consider quitting their job.
- An increased number of employees wish they had more mental health support from their employer.
- 49 percent said their company doesn’t do enough to support their mental health in 2023, and in 2022, that number was only 20 percent.
- More than half of Americans have taken a mental health day, but 48 percent didn’t tell anyone it was a mental health day.
- The stigma around mental health prevents 22 percent from discussing it at work.
While work can be a major source of stress, TriHealth employee assistance program supervisor Patty Banks says there are things that can be done to help employees manage their emotions.
“There may be things that the organization can do to assist, whether through FMLA, which is the family and medical leave, that may offer some opportunity for people to step out or step out intermittently if they need to do that,” Banks said.
She also says finding a safe person at work, which is usually a human resources manager or an employee assistance counselor, is a great place to start a conversation about what a person may be struggling with when it comes to their mental health.
“Life happens, and so, they're able to find ways to manage that and not have the retaliation that workers are concerned about,” said Banks.
She also says, if an employee has an idea of something that could be helpful at the office, for themselves or others, he or she should share it with a manager.
