Employees Want Workplaces That Support Their Mental Health

August 2, 2022

Eight in 10 U.S. workers say that how employers support their employees’ mental health will be an important consideration when they seek future job opportunities, according to a recent survey from the American Psychological Association.

APA’s 2022 Work and Well-being Survey was conducted online by The Harris Poll among more than 2,000 working adults between April 22 and May 2, 2022.

Workers revealed significant sources of stress in the workplace, including concerns about compensation, harassment, discrimination and workplace monitoring, among others.

Compensation:

Harassment:

Discrimination:

Workplace monitoring:

When asked to select from a list of a dozen possible mental health supports they would like to see employers offer, flexible work hours were the most commonly chosen (41 percent of workers), followed by a workplace culture that respects time off (34 percent), the ability to work remotely (33 percent) and a four-day work week (31 percent).

“These findings underscore the importance of mental health support in the workplace to workers across all industries,” said Arthur C. Evans Jr., PhD, APA’s chief executive officer. “Some of the increased focus on workplace mental health support may have resulted from employers working to meet employees’ needs in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Though these efforts have been helpful, it is important to recognize many workers continue to struggle and need additional supports. Therefore, employers must maintain and, in some cases, expand their mental health service offerings.”

Source: American Psychological Association