1 in 2 Singaporeans feel comfortable talking to HR about mental health

Heavy workload remains a strong contributor to stress, report finds

1 in 2 Singaporeans feel comfortable talking to HR about mental health

More than half of employees in Singapore feel comfortable discussing mental health issues with their managers or HR, indicating a more open dialogue around mental health in the corporate environment.

This is according to the latest survey from foundit, which found that 23% feel very comfortable discussing mental health issues with their manager or HR, and 28% feel comfortable.

The findings come as 57% of employees also report a positive work-life balance, with 37% saying it's good and another 20% describing it as excellent.

Sekhar Garisa, CEO of foundit, said the findings make a "substantial step" in creating supportive workplace cultures.

"It's heartening to see that a significant number of employees in Singapore are enjoying a positive work-life balance and feel comfortable discussing mental health at work," Garisa said in a statement.

Workload remains a problem

Despite these findings, the report found that workload appears to be a problem for many Singaporeans, with 37% citing it as a top contributor to work-related stress.

In fact, the findings revealed that 66% of employees have heavy workloads, including 24% who said it was "extremely heavy."

Previous research has linked heavy workload in the workplace to burnout, which 37% of foundit's respondents said they occasionally  feel challenged with.

According to the report, among the burnout symptoms that Singaporeans feel include exhaustion or reduced professional efficacy.

"This underscores the need for continued support and resources to help employees cope with workplace demands," foundit said in the press release.

The report found that 38% of respondents have yet to participate in their organisation's wellness programmes, slightly higher than the 35% of respondents who utilise them.

Another 27% also said they are unaware of such initiatives, according to the report.

"While there are areas that warrant attention, such as workload management and addressing burnout, the overall findings are encouraging," Garisa said.

"By continuing to focus on employee well-being, Singaporean businesses can enhance productivity, foster innovation, and maintain their position as leaders in the global economy."