Why do so many New Zealand workers lack trusted relationships?

A report has unveiled the state of mental health among New Zealand workers, with concerning trends observed, particularly among the younger demographic.

According to the TELUS Mental Health Index, nearly half of workers under the age of 40 lack trusted personal and workplace relationships, painting a worrisome picture of isolation and loneliness in the workplace.

The survey, which collected data from 1,000 respondents in New Zealand, highlighted a contrast between different age groups. Workers under 40 were found to be twice as likely as their older counterparts to lack trusted personal relationships, while also being more than 50% as likely to lack trusted workplace relationships.

Trust at work important to combat loneliness, isolation

Julie Cressey, the general manager of TELUS Health, emphasized the importance of fostering trusting relationships in the workplace, stating that such relationships play a crucial role in supporting mental well-being. She noted that the absence of these relationships could lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness, ultimately impacting both physical and mental health.

“Positive workplace relationships are an essential buffer for stress, highlighting the need for employers to nurture a culture that promotes connection and social support,” Cressey told 1News.

Cressey advocated for initiatives such as promoting open communication, encouraging teamwork, and providing opportunities for employees to support each other. She also highlighted the need for employers to address issues such as harassment, bullying, and unhealthy conflict promptly and fairly, as these factors can significantly impact workers’ mental health and productivity.

“Employers and managers have an obligation to encourage trusting, positive relationships between employees. This could be through internal initiatives, team building, promoting open communication and encouraging employees to support each other,” said Cressey.

Mental health risks of Kiwi workers

The study also shed light on the prevalence of mental health risks among workers in New Zealand. It revealed 40% of workers were found to have a high mental health risk, with anxiety and depression being significant factors. Approximately 30% of workers in the high-risk group reported diagnosed anxiety or depression, indicating a pressing need for support and intervention.

Despite modest improvements in overall mental health scores since September 2023, the report highlights the ongoing challenges faced by workers in New Zealand. Regional breakdowns revealed disparities in mental health scores, with some areas experiencing lower scores than others.

In light of these findings, experts are calling for increased awareness and action to address mental health issues in the workplace.

“Organisations would do well to focus on managing psychological risk and supporting a healthy culture in addition to offering and communicating supports such as Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) and Wellbeing Programmes for individuals and teams,” said Paula Allen, TELUS health global leader.

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