CHICAGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–LifeWorks, a leading provider of digital and in-person total wellness solutions backed by TELUS Health, today released its monthly Mental Health Index™ revealing four in 10 (38%) Americans think that there is a significant difference between the culture that their workplace claims to have versus the reality. Importantly, negative work cultures impact mental health and result in two and a half times less productivity per year than positive work environments.
The index found that the mental health of American workers remains significantly strained.
● The Mental Health Index™ score for August 2022 is 69.4 points out of 100, a modest improvement from the July score of 68.9 with the lowest subscore attributed to anxiety, at 62.3.
Workplace culture impacts worker productivity
● More than half of employees think work culture affects their productivity. The overall score for workplace culture in the United States, a score based on responses to nine cultural indicators, is 68.7 out of 100, which is directly correlated to both mental health and the level of productivity.
● Almost half (46%) say their company culture increases productivity. This group has the most favorable mental health score (72.0) and devotes more energy to their work.
● Nearly one in ten (9%) report that their workplace culture decreases productivity. The mental health score for this group is 56.3, 13 points lower than the national average (69.4).
● Managers are 50% more likely than non-managers to say that their company culture increases their productivity.
Mental health is strongly influenced by the realities of workplace culture
● The group of employees who see a strong disparity between the employer’s affirmation of a positive culture and their day-to-day reality, have a mental health score six points lower than the national average and almost 14 points lower to people who think reality is aligned with employer claims.
● Those who say their workplace is indifferent or hostile have the lowest mental health scores (55.1), more than 21 points lower than those who consider the workplace supportive.
● Nine percent of respondents say their corporate culture does not promote inclusiveness. This group has a mental health score eight points below the national average.
Comments from TELUS Health Chief Operating Officer Michael Dingle
“Prioritizing a culture that supports health and wellness leads to better business results. With a potential economic downturn ahead, creating and sustaining a positive culture combined with providing tangible support to employees is increasingly important when it comes to improving mental health as well as business performance. It’s essential that companies do more than just say they have a positive work environment. They must take steps to ensure that employees feel supported so that they can realize the reciprocal impacts on productivity.
Comments from LifeWorks Global Leader and Senior Vice President, Research and Total Wellness, Paula Allen
“In previous Mental Health Index reports, we’ve highlighted data that shows employees who work for organizations that support mental health have better mental health scores than employees who work for organizations that don’t. Current data clearly shows that in addition to services and resources, workplace culture also plays an important role. We have identified nine indicators that make a difference and can be improved with specific actions and behaviors that promote well-being and allow everyone to work at the top of their own scale.
The full United States LifeWorks Mental Health Index™ report can be viewed here. This month’s report includes additional information on work preferences, preference between pay raises and better wellbeing support, frequency of working when unwell and more.
LifeWorks is a wholly owned subsidiary of TELUS which is now part of TELUS Health following its recent acquisition.
About the Mental Health Index™
LifeWorks’ monthly survey was conducted via an online survey from August 4-12, 2022 with 3,000 respondents in the United States. All respondents reside in Canada and have worked in the past six months. The data has been statistically weighted to ensure that the regional, age and gender composition of the sample reflects this population. The Mental Health Index™ is published monthly beginning in April 2020. Baseline data was collected in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
The Mental Health Index™ is based on an answer scoring system which then turns individual answers into points. Higher point values are associated with better mental health and lower mental health risk. Scores between 0 and 49 correspond to levels of distress, scores between 50 to 79 correspond to levels of tension, and scores between 80 to 100 correspond to 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 innovations and clinical services to improve physical, mental and financial health and well-being across the world. spectrum of primary and preventive care. By leveraging the power of technology to deliver connected solutions and services 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 health professionals, insurers, employers and people around the world, advancing its vision to transform healthcare and empower people to live healthier lives.
Our clinical team is comprised of renowned and passionate healthcare professionals from around the world, delivering the best people-centered care to hundreds of thousands of employers, professionals and their families.
For more information, please visit: www.telushealth.com.
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