Mental Health Issues in the Workplace
The Hartford, a provider of disability insurance, has released new research regarding mental health issues. The study shows the prevalence of both mental illness in the workplace and a stigma that prevents those facing mental health challenges from accessing care.
According to the study, which polled both employers and employees, 70% of employers reported mental health challenges among their employees, with 72% saying that stigmas around mental health prevented care. Twenty-seven percent of employees said they struggle with depression or anxiety most days or a few times a week, which was up 20% from March 2020.
Further, according to the study, there is a disconnect in how employers perceive the mental health issues versus how employees do. For example, while 80% of employers said their company culture has been more accepting of mental health challenges in the past year, only 59% of workers agree. Similarly, 78% of employers said workers had flexibility in their schedule to get mental health help, but only 58% of workers agreed.
The study also highlighted the economic impact of untreated conditions in the workplace, with 31% of employers reporting that employee mental health strain is having a significant or severe financial impact on their company. This is a 10-point increase from a March 2020 survey. Despite this increase, 70% of employers and 62% of employees felt that the workplace will become less stigmatized as a result of the pandemic.
Depression, anxiety, and burnout can all be causes of missed work and, in some, can lead to the need to file a disability insurance claim. However, such cases can be notoriously hard to prove up. If you have mental health concerns and are considering filing a claim, please feel free to contact one of our attorneys directly.
Source:
The Hartford Study: Majority of Employers Recognize Mental Health As A Significant Workplace Issue, Report Stigma Prevents Treatment, businesswire, https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210622005719/en/The-Hartford-Study-Majority-Of-Employers-Recognize-Employee-Mental-Health-As-A-Significant-Workplace-Issue-Report-Stigma-Prevents-Treatment
