Source: www.newswire.ca
One in 10 Canadians say they have left or have considered leaving a job over lack of mental health support
TORONTO, Oct. 1, 2021 /CNW/ – While Canadian employers consider what the future of work looks like, Sun Life says that a mental health strategy must be part of the plan to help curb Canada’s mental health crisis. A new Sun Life survey revealed that over half of Canadians continue to suffer from mental health challenges, 18 months into the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet despite this, Sun Life’s study shows companies – and leaders – are not stepping up enough with employee mental health support.
Mental health still not a safe workplace topic, trust in employers among top reason
Even while the majority of the country’s workforce (62%) says emotional, mental and physical fatigue is the top issue affecting them negatively, a third of Canadians (37%) feel unsafe to talk about mental health at work. Lack of trust in their employer was among the top reasons (55%), with embarrassment (50%) and fear of discrimination following closely behind (40%). The survey also found that one in 10 working Canadians have left (11%) or have considered leaving their job (10%) due to a lack of employer mental health support. Additionally, only 22% said their CEO or manager had talked about mental health in the last 12 months.
“Companies across the country are considering their future of work plans, but Canadians have said – loud and clear – it’s the future of our workforce we must consider,” says Jacques Goulet, President, Sun Life Canada. “After 18 months of this pandemic, we continue to be in a mental health crisis, yet employees are still not getting the support they need at work. I will continue to re-convene my CEO and C-suite forum annually to keep tension on this crisis. If there was ever a time for Canadian leaders to renew their organization’s vision and approach to employee mental health, it’s now.”