Employers and Employees Don’t See Eye to Eye on Mental Health

Some recent survey data casts a questionable light on whether employers and employees have a mutual understanding about whether or not mental health is being properly acknowledged and managed in the workplace. 

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According to London-based insurer Willis Towers Watson, more than 88% of surveyed companies claimed to have enacted some sort of positive change in their mental health approach and/or protocols in the last year, which is a claim that’s supported in data gathered by Lyra Health showing that almost 3 out of 4 HR representatives and benefits leaders acknowledged having upsized their mental health-related efforts.

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On the other hand, only about half of the surveyed supervisors and managers agreed with the notion that support for mental health in the workplace had become more robust over the year. Further, a mere 40% of employees believe that their place of work sufficiently promotes positive mental health on the job. 

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Further, while some companies like Walmart are making great strides on increasing access to and usage of mental health services for their employees, a severe shortage of qualified mental health care professionals will make it more difficult to close the broader perception gap that exists on these issues between employer and employee any time in the near future. 

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You can read more analysis about this disconnect here.