Photo: Muhammad Aqib/gettyimages
Washington — Although 9 out of 10 employers say they’re prepared to support worker mental health, only 3 out of 5 employees agree, according to the results of a recent survey of small businesses.
Pie Insurance, a commercial insurance provider, commissioned the survey of 1,000-plus full- or part-time workers at companies with 500 or fewer employees. Researchers also interviewed business owners and decision-makers.
Pie says the survey findings show that employers and workers “may live in different safety universes.” Although 91% of the employers/decision-makers are “confident in their ability to address mental health issues,” only 62% of the employees share that conviction.
“The disconnect is clear,” Pie CEO John Swigart said in a report on the survey. “That gap isn’t just a workplace issue – it’s a resilience issue.”
Other findings:
- 36% of the employees said workplace stress affects their personal lives, including relationships, sleep and mental health.
- 73% agreed that implementing “some form” of workplace mental health support “would make a meaningful difference.”
- Flexible work hours ranked as the employees’ top desired mental health support benefit, with 19% agreeing. Mental health days (17%) and basic counseling or peer groups (12%) followed.
Pie recommends that employers:
- Evaluate the mental health assistance that’s provided versus what workers experience.
- Implement flexible work arrangements and add mental health days to policies.
“Small businesses thrive when their people feel genuinely supported,” Swigart said. “Our goal with this research is to help employers see the reality their workers are experiencing so they can create environments where both employees and businesses succeed.”
McCraren Compliance offers comprehensive safety training to help prevent accidents. Visit our class calendar to see how our training and consulting services can enhance your safety efforts.
Original article published by Safety+Health an NSC publication