A new Conference Board of Canada report has shed light on the critical link between workplace mental health and employee engagement. Nearly a quarter of Canadian employees reported significant stigmatization around mental health within their organizations. The study also found that 63% of employees worked while feeling mentally unwell, assuming that mental health wasn’t a valid reason to take time off.
For construction company owners, these findings are a wake-up call. The report emphasizes that presenteeism (working while unwell) can lead to more negative outcomes than absenteeism, including productivity loss and health deterioration.
Talking about and destigmatizing mental health issues, focusing on psychological safety, and creating a supportive environment for mental health can enhance job performance and employee well-being. Construction companies must recognize the urgent need to prioritize mental health to maintain a healthy and productive workforce.
ICBA Wellness can help with that!
Each week, ICBA’s Jordan Bateman reflects on what we’ve learned as we participate in ICBA’s Workplace Wellness Program. ICBA’s Workplace Wellness Program is helping more than 100 companies and more than 10,000 construction professionals better understand mental health. This program is free for all ICBA members – check out icba.ca/wellness for details.
