Employee mental health is one of the most important people risks facing employers today. Issues such as anxiety, stress, depression and addiction are becoming a source of growing concern in workforces across the world.
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According to the MMB Health on Demand 2023 Survey Report, nearly half (47 per cent) of employees experience stress in their everyday lives¹, and over half (52 per cent) have worked while feeling mentally unwell in the past year.¹Further, Mercer’s Global Talent Trends 2024 study indicates that a staggering 82 per cent of the workforce is susceptible to burnout or exhaustion, underscoring the importance for workplaces to address this issue.²
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What can employers do?
Employers are trusted providers of care and support, and they should use this position to help boost the resilience and overall wellbeing of their staff.
Research shows the impact a caring employer can make.
Employees who feel supported by their employer are 15 per cent less likely to report feeling stressed in everyday life, while more than three-quarters (78 per cent) of those who believe their employer cares about their wellbeing report that they are thriving in their current role and organisation.¹
Employers are uniquely positioned to reduce risks and improve access to support systems. They can take the following actions to support employees and reduce the incidence and impact of mental ill health.
1. Increase awareness of mental health
The most important step that employers can take is to make sure everyone in the workforce – from senior leaders to new starters – knows the importance of good mental health. This can be achieved through training and improved communications. Organisations also need to be aware of which employee groups may need more support.1 Understanding this will allow employers to better support their needs.¹
2. Consider work design and culture
Increasing awareness of mental health and removing the stigma from conversations about issues such as anxiety and depression are important. But, to make a real difference, employers need to address issues such as job design, work culture and supervisor competencies.
Job demands are a major risk factor for mental ill health. Work pressures, poor leadership and toxic culture are the main reasons cited for potential employee burnout.¹
3. Access to mental health-related benefits
When an employee has mental health problems, it’s vital that they have quick and easy access to good-quality treatment. The longer someone is off work due to ill health, the less likely they are to return.
However, treatment is just one side of the coin. To truly support mental wellbeing, employers should also focus on preventative benefits, ensuring cover for programs designed to assist with managing stress, anxiety and relationships.
Important steps
Employee mental health is a critical issue that employers should address to ensure the wellbeing of their workforce and the success of their organisation.
Steps that employers can take now to improve the mental health of their workforce include:
- Providing leaders with mental health training to better support employees.
- Listening to employee networks and interviewing leaders to understand organisational stressors, and planning to address these.
- Considering digital alternatives to face-to-face mental healthcare
- Ensuring cover exists beyond treatment for a specific mental health challenge, thereby helping employees manage stress, anxiety, and relationship issues.
Employee health is critical for business health. Speak to your Marsh broker today to find out how the team at MMB can work with you to support a healthier workforce addressing the physical, emotional, financial and social wellbeing of your employees that in turn can help boost productivity and workforce resilience.
1. Mercer, Health of Demand 2023 Survey Report
2. Mercer, 2024 Global Talent Trends
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