Guarding Minds at Work - Evaluating Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace

 

In partnership with Canada Life and Workplace Strategies for Mental Health, this study examines the indicators of mental health in Canadian workplaces. The work is informed by data gathered online from over 5,500 respondents by Pollara Strategic Insights in March / April 2023.

At the heart of this analysis is the Guarding Minds at Work evaluation tool, used to effectively assess and address the psychosocial factors known to have an impact on organizational health, the health of individual employees, and the financial bottom line. We first used this tool in a similar study on psychological health and safety in the workplace in December 2021. It has seen some revision since then; therefore, overall results generally cannot be compared between the two reports.

Among our more interesting findings:

  • 21% of educators (and 22% of first responders) feel it is rarely or never safe to speak up at work. 

  • First responder scores were very low across most factors:

    • 50% of first responders indicated they’re currently being bullied on the job

    • 48% of first responders indicated they’re experiencing discrimination

    • 42% of first responders indicated they’re being verbally, physically or sexually harassed 

    • 73% (three in four) of first responders say their work threatens their psychological health

  • Only a third (34%) of educators believe difficult situations at work are dealt with effectively.

  • Only 29% of retail workers feel they are paid fairly for the work they do.

  • Nearly half (45%) of younger workers (18-34) indicated their workload was unreasonable.

  • Nearly two-thirds (63%) of respondents in health care and retail indicate high turnover is a significant issue.

  •   54% of younger workers feel lonely at work at least some of the time.

  • Nearly 1 in 4 (23%) of younger workers indicate bullying at work is a problem for them compared to only 9% of those over 55.

  • Only half (47%) of employees in large workplaces (500+ employees) are experiencing a positive workplace culture.

  • 32% of racialized Canadians indicate they feel psychologically unprotected.

  • Racialized Canadians indicated feeling less job security (58% felt secure) compared to 71% for non-racialized Canadians.

Click on the buttons to the left to learn more about the findings, or click here to read the report.