70% won’t tell boss about mental health
Staff bottle up emotions survey finds
SEVEN in 10 workers are too afraid to tell their boss they’re battling poor mental health, a survey revealed yesterday.
Almost 40% believe their employer wouldn’t care about their difficulties and is unapproachable.
And 42.7% of staff insisted their anxieties affect their performance in the workplace, with 49.6% worried about failure.
However, an employment expert yesterday advised anyone feeling their depression is in freefall to open up to their boss.
Cv-library chief Lee Biggins said: “Poor mental health can take on many forms. Whether it’s a drop in productivity, general detachment or burnout. Worrying is a part of life but if it becomes persistent and interferes with your daily activity, it can sap your energy and make it hard to concentrate at work.
“Don’t delay talking to your boss, as they may be able to help out more than you think.
“When your mental health is suffering it can feel like you have nobody to turn to, especially in a formal environment like the workplace. Take the opportunity this World Mental Health Day to start a dialogue with your employer or a trusted manager.”
A total of 2,000 people were quizzed across Ireland as part of the poll – and 41.8% admitted being less likely to take on new challenges due to self-doubt.
Around 19% fear they’d be judged unfairly if they confided in their boss.
Meanwhile, 35.3% of the those polled, which had a 60-40 ratio in favour of men, said they felt constantly stressed.
And more than a third of professionals admitted they feel anxious about key aspects of their jobs.
A breakdown of the various anxieties revealed 41.7% were afraid of being fired, while just over a third admitted their boss gave them the jitters.
Other issues included neglecting personal relationships because of work, dealing with senior staff members and giving presentations.
■ World Mental Health Day is today. Call the Samaritans on 116 123 if you need to talk.
IT is very alarming that 70% of workers here are too afraid to tell their boss they are battling poor mental health.
And it is shocking that despite workplace improvements in relation to wellbeing, 40% of employees believe their employer wouldn’t care.
There is no doubt many companies have made efforts to put resources in place to help workers over any issues they may be facing.
It should be OK not to feel OK and company chiefs and HR departments here need to devise innovative ways to help workers and stamp out the stigma.