As a manager you might think that your workplace is a safe space to discuss and get help for mental health issues, but your reports likely disagree, according to new data from local insurance giant The Hartford.
A majority of employers (68%) said they’d created “an open and inclusive work environment” in regards to mental health, but only 42% of workers agreed, a recent survey by the insurer found. As a result, only 44% of employees reported that their schedules allowed them to get the mental health treatment they needed, although 71% of employers said they offered that flexibility.
The survey was announced as part of a new alliance between The Hartford, a national property and casualty insurer, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), a leading nonprofit. The two plan to work together to reduce the stigma around mental health issues in the workplace and get those in search of support the help they need.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated the mental health challenges facing the workforce and cannot be ignored by employers,” said The Hartford CEO Christopher Swift. “Together with NAMI, we hope to further a national dialogue about mental health and inspire leaders to embrace a stigma-free culture within their companies and communities.”
The workplace data was gathered as part of polls of U.S. workers and HR professionals in early March and mid-June. A majority of employers (59%) reported that they believed mental health conditions including anxiety and depression are a significant workplace issue, and 64% of employers said they felt prepared to address employees’ mental health conditions. However, more than half of workers said they were concerned about privacy when sharing mental health information with their employer and co-workers.
Nearly half of employees surveyed (48%) said their anxiety level had increased since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and about a quarter said they struggled with depression or anxiety on a daily or weekly basis in June, a slight increase compared to those surveyed in March.
“Especially during these difficult times, treatment can make a positive impact on anyone struggling with their mental health,” said Daniel H. Gillison, Jr., CEO of NAMI. “We call on fellow business leaders to join us in creating a new standard for employee benefits that include mental health resources which not only improve the lives of employees, but also the overall success of the company.”
Gen Z and younger Millennials were nearly three times more likely to report struggles with depression or anxiety most days or few times a week than workers born in the “Baby Boomer” generation.
