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

Among our more interesting findings:

20% of respondents indicate that the nature of their job involves unavoidable risk to psychological harm
Two-fifths of respondents (38%) are still impacted by their trauma, while half (48%) have recovered from it.
Clients (46%), coworkers (29%), and direct managers (27%) are the most frequent sources of workplace trauma.
27% of respondents indicated that people at work do not often or always recognize the importance of protecting employees’ physical safety and 45% of respondents indicated the same about protecting employee psychological safety.

Key finding by segment

Age:

Respondents 55 years or older are less likely to experience psychological harm at work (15%) compared to middle-aged and young respondents (24%).

Industry:

Health care workers (51%), first responders (43%), and educators (50%) reported higher frequencies on indicators of trauma and stress at work. These three groups report higher rates of psychological harm at work compared to other sectors.

Marginalized groups:

More than half of respondents who identified as racialized Canadians, as well as those with mental impairment or a mood disorder, have reported exposure to trauma and stress at work.

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