Canadian workers say mental health has worsened: survey

A new poll shows that three in five Canadian workers are now experiencing more work-related stress compared to last year, due to high workloads and a lack of job stability. Many say they also feel unsupported by their employers.

Robert Walters, a global recruiting firm, last month asked more than 2,500 employees in Canada about their working conditions and found a major discrepancy between how much money companies spend on wellness initiatives and how employees really feel at work.

According to the company’s survey results, 60 percent of respondents said they suffer from work-related stress, with a third of these employees, or 34 percent, stating that they feel that way “very often.” At the other end of the scale, 10 percent of respondents said they had not experienced “recurring stress” at work this year.

Martin Fox, general manager of Robert Walters’ Canadian branch, said employers have spent an estimated $400 to $600 per employee on wellness initiatives since the start of the pandemic in March 2020.

“There is a dichotomy between employers who think they are doing enough and employees who think they are not,” Fox told CTVNews.ca on Tuesday.

According to the poll’s results, 62 percent of employees said they don’t think their employers are doing enough to help manage stress at work. Meanwhile, 14 percent said they think the company’s efforts are enough.

When determining who should be responsible for reducing stress in the workplace, 45 percent of respondents said this is a job for senior leaders and human resources departments. Meanwhile, 19 percent of those surveyed said it’s up to line managers.

Fox said this conversation shouldn’t be one-sided.

“I think employees also need to be able to self-regulate during stressful periods and communicate their concerns or concerns,” he said, adding that managers and people in leadership positions need to be given proper training and inventory to manage mental health issues. to support.

WHAT WILL CAUSE HIGH STRESS IN 2023?

Increasingly blurred lines between one’s work and personal life, as well as increasing workloads and tight deadlines can all cause stress for employees, the research shows.

According to the poll, the biggest cause of stress among office workers is worry about job stability.

“This is hardly surprising given the ongoing coverage we’re seeing in the news about the turbulent economy, mass layoffs at large companies and when it comes to candidate and client confidence,” said Fox.

So far in 2023 there have been layoffs at companies like Meta, Amazon, Google, Lyft, Shopify and Bell in Canada and the US as companies say they are downsizing and restructuring after the pandemic. CTV News is a division of Bell Media, which is part of Bell Canada Enterprises Inc.

Other stress triggers highlighted in the survey results are pressure from management, with 23 percent of respondents saying this is the biggest contributing factor to their stress at work, followed by a failure to get a raise, indicated by 19 percent of the respondents.

“Feeling underpaid is a fast track to demotivation,” Fox said. “Unfortunately, the rising cost of living and inflation make any kind of pay rise or proposed raise feel insignificant.”

A final trigger identified in the poll was increased workload, noted by 13 percent of respondents, where employees felt they had to move up due to talent shortages and constant turnover.

Fox said this new wave of post-pandemic stress stems from the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions and a return to in-person work, as well as soaring inflation, creating a “perfect storm.”

HOW TO REDUCE STRESS AT WORK?

Fox said it’s critical that employers and employees explore effective coping strategies to manage stress in the workplace.

If not managed properly, this stress can lead to higher turnover, employee burnout, lack of motivation and lower productivity levels.

In the poll, 49 percent of professionals said their company’s output is high, but 17 percent said it’s low quality.

Fox recommended that companies foster a supportive and open work culture where employees feel safe to voice their concerns. He added that managers should also receive more soft skills training to lead with empathy and communicate with staff who are struggling at work.

For employees, Fox said they shouldn’t be afraid to seek help or advice from their colleagues. He also suggested creating a better work-life balance by “switching off completely” outside of work hours.

The Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) also has an extensive list of advisories for employers And staff on how to deal with stress at work.