Employers Look to Improve Mental Health at Work

11/11/2024

More employers are prioritizing the physical and mental wellbeing of their employees, but not many employees believe that they are focusing on what they need the most. 

According to the Wellbeing Diagnostic Survey by WTW, employers have focused on supporting mental (73 percent) and physical (50 percent) wellbeing. However, 66 percent of employees said that financial wellbeing is their top concern, despite it being the lowest priority for employers. Only 41 percent of respondents said that they felt financially secure, according to the report.  

Almost half of U.S. employees are currently struggling in at least two areas concerning their wellbeing. According to the survey, employees that are struggling show lower productivity levels and experience higher rates of burnout. Over half of respondents (56 percent) have above-average stress levels, with 37 percent saying they have anxiety or depression symptoms.  

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There is still a large stigma surrounding mental health within the workplace. FacilitiesNet previously reported that 33 percent of Gen Zs and 35 percent of millennials would not be comfortable speaking openly with their direct manager about their mental health challenges, even giving other reasons other than their mental wellbeing for taking off. 

The most effective mental health and wellbeing programs need to be stigma-free, inclusive and empathy-led. According to the survey, 46 percent of companies are striving to embed wellbeing programs and practices into their company culture. However, employees have mixed feelings about employer initiatives. Managers need to be strategic in increasing the encouragement of their team members, while also creating safe environments for employees to bring up these topics. With regular check-ins, managers should be able to monitor signs of anxiety or depression and can help the employee before mistakes are made that hurt the bottom line.  

Knowing this, four in five employers are prioritizing the employee experience to help build their wellbeing strategy. According to the survey, 37 percent of respondents are looking to make wellbeing a foundational element to their human capital strategy in the next three years. Over 70 percent of employers are planning to boost communication of their wellness programs and improve company culture to help with employee’s mental health.  

Mackenna Moralez is the associate editor of the facilities market.