Increased Anxiety in the Canadian Workplace

Introduction

Main Item

Recession-Stressed Workers Need Employers' Support - New study shows increased anxiety in the workplace

They're stressed, anxious, worried about their jobs. They're losing sleep and they're losing confidence in the economy.

Many Canadian employees are showing these and other signs of mental distress.

According to the first results of the Desjardins Financial Security National Health Survey released today for National Mental Health Week (May 4-10), during which Canadians are encouraged to "Invest in yourself", a significant number of workers in Canada feel they have lost control of their lives as the economic recession grinds on, unemployment numbers rise and financial security appears to be evaporating.

The study found that one-third of those surveyed say they are more stressed now than a year ago. About 30 percent of employees across Canada are experiencing anxiety, losing sleep, and/or suffering from headaches, muscle aches and other physical tension-symptoms which often precede more serious problems.

Among their worries, three of the most stressful aspects of their lives are associated with their employment-money, workload and job security. The vast majority (83 percent) agree that they pay more attention to their personal finances and spending habits now than prior to the recession.

Employees appear to be working longer hours as 54 percent feel the current recession is having an impact on their work/life balance. As well, 43 percent are now concerned about losing their jobs.

Another sign that employees may be increasingly worried is their belief that the recession will last much longer than most economists are predicting.

The survey found that 34 percent believe the recession will last less than one year, while 47 percent believe it will go on longer than a year.

"Clearly, many employees have lost confidence and this is showing up in all kinds of ways that could lead to more serious mental health problems down the road," said Dr. Taylor Alexander, CEO of the CMHA's National office.

In response to this deteriorating situation, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is calling on all employers, in both the public and private sectors, to broaden access to and funding for mental health programs in the workplace.

"We're currently reaching tens of thousands of people across the country through our programs, which give employers and employees alike the tools to deal effectively with stress, anxiety and depression. But, we could do so much more," said Dr. Alexander.

Michele Nowski, Director, Disability Claims and Disability Management with Desjardins Financial Security, noted that a stressed-out workplace translates into increased presenteeism and absenteeism. This equates to increased short term disability claims for both physical and mental health issues. Mental health claims are the fastest growing category for days lost to disability in Canada.

"By investing in their workers, companies are investing in themselves. A mentally healthy workplace typically has fewer disability claims, lower absenteeism and better productivity," said Nowski. "It really becomes a partnership between employees and employers because employees also have a responsibility to manage their health and stress levels."

This means giving their employees the tools to gain more control over their lives-such as engaging them in open communications, working in teams to find solutions, being supportive of those who are not coping well, offering flex hours and promoting a healthy work/life balance.

To tackle the rising incidence of workplace stress, employees need to take responsibility as well. For example, they should be talking with their employers when they see potential problems arising, maintaining their health, and focusing on their accomplishments and goals. Or they could be pro-actively exploring other career paths and networking to identify new job prospects.

About the Survey

SOM Surveys, Opinion Polls and Marketing conducted this web survey on behalf of Desjardins Financial Security between March 30 and April 15, 2009. In total, 1,062 interviews were conducted with a sample of Canadian workers who work for a company or organization with at least 10 employees. The data was weighted to reflect the distribution of the Canadian population in terms of the country's main regions (Atlantic Provinces, Quebec, Ontario, the Prairies, British-Columbia), and by the joint age-gender population distribution in Quebec, Ontario and elsewhere in Canada. The data was also weighted to reflect the population distribution in terms of mother tongue and the proportion of adults who live alone in each of these same three regions.

About Desjardins Financial Security

Desjardins Financial Security, a subsidiary of Desjardins Group, the largest integrated cooperative financial group in Canada, specializes in providing life insurance, health insurance and retirement savings products to individuals and groups. Every day, over five million Canadians rely on Desjardins Financial Security to ensure their financial security. Desjardins Financial Security employs 3,800 people and administers $19.7 billion in assets from offices in several cities across the country, including Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec, Levis, Halifax and St. John's. For more information please visit www.dfs.ca.

About the Canadian Mental Health Association

The Canadian Mental Health Association National Office is a leading national voluntary organization within the mental health sector. For more than 90 years, it has existed to promote the mental health of all people in Canada and to serve mental health consumers, their families and friends through education, public awareness, research, advocacy and direct services. In addition to its National office, the CMHA has 11 provincial and territorial Divisions and some 135 Branches and Regions in communities across Canada.

To find more information about mental health, visit www.cmha.ca. To view Desjardins Financial Security's survey, visit www.healthiscool.ca.

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Cite This Page (APA): Desjardins Financial Security. (2009, May 4). Increased Anxiety in the Canadian Workplace. Disabled World. Retrieved December 12, 2024 from www.disabled-world.com/news/canada/workplace-anxiety.php

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