Mental health-related leave is increasing in the workplace, up 33% in 2023 compared to 2022, new data shows – analysis showing mental health pressures among employees showing no signs relaxation.
Additionally, employee time off for mental health issues increased by 300% between 2017 and 2023, according to analysis released last week by mental health service provider ComPsych. A leave of absence, ComPsych said, can vary from a few days to a few weeks.
Female employees and younger workers, in particular, are driving this increase. In 2023, 69 percent of mental health-related leave was taken by women. Of these, a third (33%) were taken by millennial women, followed by Gen X women who accounted for 30% of mental health-related leave.
(SHRM Resource Center page: Mental Health)
While the data is significant for the workplace, Richard Chaifetz, founder, CEO and president of ComPsych, said it’s not shocking given the string of stressful events over the past few years.
“Given the tumultuous events of the past few years – with COVID, ongoing international conflicts, civil unrest and an unstable economy – it is not surprising that mental health-related leave is on the rise,” said he declared. During this time, he added, employees face their own individual stressors, ranging from difficulties with caregiving and parenting to work and financial pressures.
Indeed, ComPsych’s data is just the latest to indicate that employee mental health has deteriorated in recent years.
According to one study, well over half of employees (57%) experience at least moderate levels of burnout. recent Aflac reportwhile a Mercer investigation found that 67 percent of employers consider depression and anxiety a workplace concern, with 21 percent citing it as a serious concern. Sixty-eight percent said work-related stress was a concern, and 59 percent cited financial stress. Other research found that inflation, in particular, takes a toll on employees’ mental health.
Although mental health leave can create problems for employers when it comes to managing work, it can be a good sign that employees are more aware of prioritizing their mental health, said Chaifetz.
“During the pandemic, more people have become aware of the options available if they need to take time off from work, and the national conversation about mental health has intensified, helping to reduce stigma,” she said. -he declares. “All of that plays a role in the increase we’re seeing.”
Employer action
Mental health, already an important topic, will only become more important during a contentious election year, experts say.
“Mental and emotional well-being will be a major topic, especially heading into an election year,” said Aflac CHRO Jeri Hawthorne. “People tend to have much more polarized opinions. Maybe five or ten years ago, people could just disagree and have different views on certain topics, but today the situation has become much more polarized and sometimes even aggressive. Mental health – and areas aimed at reducing stress and improving emotional wellbeing – will be a major priority for next year.
(See also: Addressing mental health needs across generations)
Although more employers have recently increased their support for mental health, Mercer, for example, found at the end of 2023 that 94% of large employers (500 or more employees) reported increasing their coverage for care mental health, increased their support or implemented support measures. putting new programs or systems in place to help over the last three years – it appears more work is needed.
Chaifetz said HR teams should invest in mental health resources and support for all employees, but could benefit from focusing on female and younger employees (those who have taken the major part of mental health-related absences in 2023) and the challenges they face, including parenting and caregiving. .
“For organizations, there is an opportunity now to address the root cause of these absences by providing integrated behavioral health programs, including preventative care to support those struggling with mental health issues.” , he said, adding that employers will also reap the benefits. .
“Our revenue clearly shows that when employee mental health is invested in from the start, absenteeism is reduced, as well as presenteeism or loss of productivity when an individual is unable to perform at optimal levels.
