Businessolver, a leader in benefits and HR technology solutions, has released its latest report, “Barriers to Mental Wellbeing at Work,” based on its 2024 State of Workplace Empathy Study. Now in its ninth year, the study provides a comprehensive look at the current state of mental health in the workplace, revealing significant increases in reported mental health issues and workplace toxicity.
1. Key Findings on Mental Health Issues:
- Increased Reports: 55% of CEOs and 50% of employees reported mental health issues in the past year, with a 24-point increase for CEOs compared to 2023.
- Workplace Toxicity: 52% of CEOs and 32% of employees cite toxic company cultures as a concern.
2. Impact of Stigmas and Toxicity:
- Stigma Across Roles: CEOs (81%), HR professionals (72%), and employees (67%) agree that mental health issues are often viewed as weakness or a burden.
- Toxic Work Environments: Employees in toxic workplaces are 47% more likely to report mental health issues, with this figure rising to 64% for CEOs.
3. Demographics and Mental Health:
- High Impact Groups: Women, younger generations, disabled individuals, veterans, and LGBTQ+ employees report higher rates of mental health issues.
- Ethnic Disparities: Hispanic (56%) and Asian (48%) respondents are more likely to view their company culture as toxic and perceive mental health issues negatively.
4. Challenges with Empathy and Support:
- Empathy Concerns: 63% of CEOs, 47% of HR professionals, and 42% of employees worry about being viewed as weak for demonstrating empathy at work.
- Supportive Measures: Despite challenges, 73% of employees believe their managers prioritize mental health, and 87% feel comfortable providing emotional support to coworkers.
5. Gap in Mental Health Benefits Usage:
- Benefit Utilization: A 70-point gap exists between the mental health benefits employees rate as important and those they actually use.
- Preferred Support: Employees primarily rely on family (40%) and friends (33%) for mental health support, with only a small percentage using employer-sponsored programs.
6. Role of Flexibility and Awareness:
- Importance of Flexibility: Flexible work hours, remote work, and mental health resources are seen as critical for supporting wellbeing.
- Driving Awareness: Employers need to enhance awareness and accessibility of mental health benefits to improve utilization rates.
Businessolver’s “Barriers to Mental Wellbeing at Work” report underscores the growing concerns around mental health and workplace toxicity. The findings highlight the urgent need for employers to create supportive, stigma-free environments and effectively promote mental health benefits to enhance employee wellbeing.
