Four out of ten Canadians report significant gap between culture their workplace claims to have versus their reality
LifeWorks, a leading provider of digital and in-person total wellbeing solutions supported by TELUS Health, today released its monthly Mental Health Indextm revealing that four out of 10 (38 per cent) Canadians believe there is a significant difference between the culture their workplace claims to have compared to their reality. Importantly, negative workplace cultures impact mental health and lead to three times less productivity (23 per cent) per year than positive work environments.
The Index found that Canadian workers are experiencing increasing strain with an unfavourable mental health score.
- The Mental Health Indextm score for August 2022 is 65.1 points out of one hundred, a slight increase from July's score of 65.0 points and essentially the same as the score in August of 2021.
Negative workplace culture is impacting the productivity of Canadian workers
- Those who report negative workplace culture on average across nine indicators have productivity scores 23 per cent below full productivity - nearly three times higher than those reporting a more positive workplace culture. The latter group have productivity scores that are eight per cent below maximum.
- Fourteen per cent of Canadians report their workplace culture decreases productivity.
- Managers are 40 per cent more likely than non-managers to indicate their workplace culture increases their productivity.
Canadians' mental health is heavily influenced by realities of workplace culture
- Those who rate their workplace culture as demotivating have a mental health score of 50.0, more than 15 points below the national average.
- Nine per cent of respondents report their workplace culture does not promote inclusiveness. This group has a mental health score of 56.8, more than eight points below the national average.
- Thirty-eight per cent of respondents believe there is a significant difference between the culture their workplace claims to have and the reality. This group has a mental health score of 58.7, more than six points below the national average.
Comments from TELUS Health Chief Operating Officer, Michael Dingle
"Workplace culture is the backbone of any organization. It is critical for businesses to do more than simply say they have a positive working environment, they must take action to ensure employees feel supported. Long-term business success is dependent on creating a strong, inclusive culture where all team members can bring their whole selves to work, while feeling supported and appreciated. The data is clear that when organizations prioritize a culture that supports total wellbeing, they will see stronger business results."
Comments from LifeWorks global leader and senior vice president, research and total wellbeing, Paula Allen
"In prior Mental Health Index reports, we have clearly seen that employees who work for organizations that support employee mental health, have better mental health scores than employees who work for organizations that do not. The support includes the provision and promotion of mental health services, but the current data clearly shows that workplace culture also plays a strong role. The good news is that we have identified nine clear indicators that make a difference and each can be improved with specific actions that start with awareness and leader training."
The full Canadian LifeWorks Mental Health Indextm report can be found here. This month, the report includes additional insights on work preferences, preference between salary increases and better wellbeing support, frequency of working while unwell and more.
LifeWorks is a wholly owned subsidiary of TELUS now operating as part of TELUS Health as a result of its recent acquisition.
About the Mental Health Indextm
The monthly survey by LifeWorks was conducted through an online survey in English and French from August 4 to 12, 2022 with 3,000 respondents in Canada. All respondents reside in Canada and were employed within the last six months. The data has been statistically weighted to ensure the regional and gender composition of the sample reflect this population. The Mental Health Indextm is published monthly, beginning April 2020. Benchmark data was collected in 2017, 2018, 2019.
The Mental Health Indextm, is based on a response scoring system that then turns individual responses into point values. Higher point values are associated with better mental health and less mental health risk. Scores between 0 to 49 correspond with distress levels, scores between 50 to 79 correspond with strain levels and scores between 80 to 100 correspond with optimal levels of mental health.
About TELUS Health
TELUS Health is a global healthcare company serving people in more than 160 countries delivering both digital innovation and clinical services to improve total physical, mental and financial health and wellness across the full spectrum of primary and preventative care. By leveraging the power of technology to deliver connected solutions and services both in-person and virtually, TELUS Health is improving access to care and revolutionizing the flow of information while facilitating collaboration, efficiency, and productivity for physicians, pharmacists, health authorities, allied healthcare professionals, insurers, employers and people globally, progressing its vision of transforming healthcare and empowering people to live healthier lives.
Our clinical team is composed of renowned and passionate health professionals around the world delivering best-in-class people-centric care to hundreds of thousands of employers, professionals and their families.
For more information, please visit: www.telushealth.com.
ID-CAD, ID-CORP, ID-MH
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