Women more like to experience tension or conflict in the workplace
Canadian employees' mental health slightly improved in July, based on the latest report from LifeWorks that gauged the wellbeing of employees
According to the report, the Mental Health Index score for July 2022 is 65 points out of 100, which is a slight increase from June's 64.1. Also improving is Canadians' mental health risk, with 32% of Canadians having a high mental health risk, 44% having moderate, while 25% have low mental health risk.
The report also stressed that all mental health sub-scores improved in July, covering anxiety (57.5), isolation (60.7), work productivity (60.8), depression (62.8), optimism (67.2), financial risk (69.9), and psychological health (73).
By industry, workers from the Transportation and Warehousing industry and the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services had the highest mental health score with 68.6.
Still 'unfavourable'
Despite these improvements, the report still described the overall mental health score as "unfavourable," with workers suffering from "increasing strain."
According to the report, more than two in five employees are experiencing tension or conflict with co-workers, with women more likely to experience this.
The report added that 30% experience conflict over support for wellbeing, 29% experience it over pay, while 21% said it is over the threat of layoffs. Some 27% also said they are suffering from tension or conflict with their manager, with employees under 40 more likely to experience this.
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Impact on children
Another finding from the report highlighted how employees' children are also suffering from the pandemic, with 22% saying it has an impact on their kids' mental health.
According to the report, 27% of employees reported that their children have anxiety over the future, 24% said the pandemic has a negative impact on their kids' development, while 23% said it has negative effect on their children's academic development.
Stephen Liptrap, president and chief executive officer of LifeWorks, pointed out the importance of offering parental support to employees who are also parents.
"As organisations consider the wellbeing support provided to employees, emphasis on parental needs, and employee and family assistance programmes is crucial," he said in a statement.
"These resources are critical to ensuring that employees and their families can thrive, which benefits those families, their employers, and society in general."