A new study released by leading independent job board, CV-Library ahead of World Mental Health Day, reveals that a quarter (25.8%) of Brits are too afraid to tell their employer that they’re suffering with poor mental health, with a further 39.3% claiming that their boss wouldn’t care.
The study, which surveyed 2,000 UK professionals, shows a chasm between bosses and employees in relation to mental health. In fact, a third (33.2%) of Brits fear they’d be judged unfairly if they told their boss about their concerns, while 29.7% simply believe their employer is unapproachable.
In addition to the above, over a quarter (28.8%) of Brits say that they feel anxious about key aspects of their jobs, including:
- The potential of being fired (31%)
- Neglecting personal relationships because of work (29%)
- Their boss (19%)
- Public speaking (18.5%)
- Giving presentations (17.3%)
Lee Biggins, founder and CEO of CV-Library comments:
“There’s no better time than the present for employers to focus on addressing mental health in the workplace and to take further steps to ease employees’ concerns. Every workplace has different needs, so a one-size-fits-all approach won’t work when it comes to mental health.
“It’s important to consider what will work for your business and ensure that support is always available to those who need it. On a more personal level, don’t underestimate the power of simply asking employees ‘how are you doing?’ Creating the chance for an open dialogue can ensure early prevention and intervention.”
Worryingly, nearly half (47.2%) of Brits claim that their anxieties affect their performance in the workplace, with 55% feeling constantly stressed, 47.5% worrying about failure and 35.8% being less likely to take on new challenges due to self-doubt.
Biggins continues:
“Poor mental health can take on many forms; whether it’s a drop in productivity, general detachment or burnout. As an employer, it’s important to watch out for these symptoms and act immediately to support your employees. Indeed, becoming complacent could cost your business severely; it was reported this year that unexplained mental health sick days cost the UK £1.4 billion a year.”
