The stigma around workplace mental health remains in evidence, especially for women. The third edition of Deloitte’s Women @ Work: A Global Outlook, a survey of 5,000 women across 10 countries, found some signs of progress in the workplace during the last 12 months, such as the drop in burnout rates. Still, mental health remains a top concern for working women.
According to the new study, while respondents report a slight improvement in mental well-being and fewer women say they feel burned out compared to last year (28% versus 46%), only 37% rate their ability to switch off from work as “good,” declining from 45% last year. In addition, only a quarter of respondents feel comfortable discussing mental health in the workplace—a significant decline from 43% in the last report.
The report also reveals that many women don’t feel they get adequate mental health support from their employers. These issues are particularly prominent among women from underrepresented groups, who are more likely to report feeling burned out and are less likely to feel comfortable discussing mental health in the workplace.
“While our research shows some glimpses of improvement for women in the workplace over the past year, it also illuminates the work that remains,” says Emma Codd, Deloitte Global Inclusion Leader. “We’re seeing a worsening picture when it comes to critical workplace aspects, such as mental health support. And the vast majority of respondents do not believe that their employer is taking concrete steps to deliver on its commitments to gender equality. Employers need to go beyond setting goals and policies and consistently foster a more inclusive and respectful work environment where all women are able to succeed.”
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Source: Deloitte