Workplace Culture and Resilience: Addressing Employee Mental Health and Organizational Agility in the Post-Pandemic World

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During the COVID-19 pandemic, resilience emerged as the buzzword for businesses globally, signifying their ability to adapt and endure unprecedented challenges. Companies shifted their focus from mere survival to building robust strategies, embracing flexibility, and fostering innovation, recognizing that employee well-being and resilience were crucial for navigating the uncertainties brought about by the pandemic and ensuring long-term sustainability. 

One in four Canadian adults reports moderate to severe symptoms of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress--a statistic that has remained unchanged since 2021 [Statistics Canada, 2023]. Furthermore, studies show that as many as one in four people globally experience low resilience due to the COVID-19 pandemic [Janitra, et al., Llistosella, et al., Mei Chen Yap, et al.].

Over the past four years, employer spending on mental health benefits in Canada has significantly increased, primarily driven by the COVID-19 pandemic. This increase in spending has been accompanied by a notable rise in the utilization of mental health services. For instance, the RAND Corporation found that North America's spending on mental health services rose by over 50% from the pandemic's start through mid-2022 [Rand, 2023].

Yet, despite these companies' shifts and increased spending, Canadian workers report being more stressed and burned out than a year ago. Hybrid workers report the highest levels of stress and a higher likelihood of quiet quitting or becoming disengaged [Half, 2023]. Additionally, 75% of surveyed workers report feeling excluded at work, with 77% of LGBTQ+ workers feeling uncomfortable sharing dimensions of their identity at work [Young, 2023]. 

With employers' increased investment in mental health benefits, why isn't employee mental health and engagement improving?

According to a 2022 survey by the global recruitment firm Robert Walters, 60% of Canadian employees report higher workplace stress than the previous year. The survey revealed that a substantial proportion of employees reported issues like blurred work-life boundaries, high workloads, lack of employer support, and job instability contribute to workplace stress. These findings suggest that while employer spending on mental health benefits has increased, the ongoing challenges related to workplace culture and job demands must be addressed to significantly improve employee well-being. According to the 2022 Mind the Workplace Report by Mental Health America, stress and distraction levels across workplaces remain significant. The report underscores that managerial support and a positive workplace culture are crucial to improving employee mental health outcomes. [Mental Health America, 2023]

"In 2022, 81% of workers report that workplace stress affects their mental health, compared to 78% of respondents in 2021. Seventy-three percent of workers report that workplace stress affects relationships with family, friends, or co-workers" [MHA, 2023].

Workplace culture is the shared values, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviours that shape the environment within an organization: leadership practices, employee behaviour, and organizational policies impact workers' mental health and engagement. A study by Marenus, Marzec, and Chen examined the correlation between workplace culture of health and employee engagement, stress, and depression. The study found that higher levels of engagement were associated with leadership practices, policies, programs, manager support, peer support, values, morale, and a positive workplace culture. Furthermore, lower levels of stress and depression were linked to these same workplace culture factors [Marenus, 2022].

"A positive organizational culture equips the workforce with the psychological, emotional, and cognitive tools needed to navigate adversity and emerge stronger from challenges. It creates an environment where resilience is not just an individual trait but a collective strength that propels the organization forward in the face of uncertainty and disruption" [Radu, 2023].

The data underscores a crucial point: while there has been a commendable increase in employer spending on mental health benefits, the impact on employee mental health hinges on broader organizational changes. These changes should aim to foster a healthier, positive workplace culture by enhancing managerial support, promoting open communication about mental health, and creating a more supportive work environment. This comprehensive approach is key to reducing stress and improving mental health outcomes and organizational resilience. 

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About Us

We are FSEAP, Canada's premier not-for-profit national provider dedicated to empowering organizations to cultivate resilient workplace cultures. Our misson is to ensure your people and businesses thrive through a continuum of employee and workplace health solutions. 

At FSEAP, we recognize the crucial role of workplace culture in fostering employee well-being, engagement, and productivity. We recognize that healthy, happy, and engaged employees contribute to a workplace that is productive, innovative, and resilient in the face of challenges. 

FSEAP Resilient is our comprehensive, integrated approach to building a resilient workforce from top to bottom. Our suite of employee and workplace health programs and services is designed to support your organization at every step--they help employers across Canada build healthy, resilient workplace cultures. 

• Employee and Family Assistance—self-help resources and professional services to help employees build and maintain their well-being and resilience.

• Mental Health—longer-term employee mental health care and support services beyond EFAP to facilitate recovery.

• Workplace Solutions—specialized resources, training, support, and intervention to assist people leaders, managers, and HR specialists in addressing challenging employee performance, team, or work-site situations and building a healthy, resilient workplace culture.

Our scalable and evidence-informed solutions are tailored to meet your organization's unique needs. From developing individual skills to providing critical mental health and well-being support to enhancing workplace factors for well-being and resilience, FSEAP Resilient services empower organizations to cultivate resilient workplace cultures that thrive in any situation. 

Bibliography

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Half, R. (2023, May 31). Nearly 4 in 10 Professionals Report Rising Burnout. Retrieved from Robert Half.ca: https://press.roberthalf.ca/2023-05-31-Nearly-4-in-10-Professionals-Report-Rising-Burnout 

Janitra FE, Jen HJ, Chu H, Chen R, Pien LC, Liu D, Lai YJ, Banda KJ, Lee TY, Lin HC, Chang CY, Chou KR. (2023). Global prevalence of low resilience among the general population and health professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic: A meta-analysis. J Affect Disord. 2023 Jul 1;332:29-46. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.03.077. Epub 2023 Mar 31. PMID: 37004902; PMCID: PMC10063525.

Llistosella M, Castellvi P, Miranda-Mendizabal A, Recoder S, Calbo E, Casajuana-Closas M, Leiva D, Manolov R, Matilla-Santander N, Forero CG. (2022). Low Resilience Was a Risk Factor of Mental Health Problems during the COVID-19 Pandemic but Not in Individuals Exposed to COVID-19: A Cohort Study in Spanish Adult General Population. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Nov 21;19(22):15398. doi: 10.3390/ijerph192215398. PMID: 36430116; PMCID: PMC9690878.

Marenus MW, Marzec M, Chen W. Association of Workplace Culture of Health and Employee Emotional Wellbeing. (2022). Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Sep 28;19(19):12318. doi: 10.3390/ijerph191912318. PMID: 36231620; PMCID: PMC9564377.

Yap MC, Wu F, Huang X, Tang L, Su K, Tong X, Kwok SC, Wu C, Wang S, He Z, Yan LL. (2023). Association between individual resilience and depression or anxiety among general adult population during COVID-19: a systematic review. J Public Health (Oxf). 2023 Nov 29;45(4):e639-e655. doi: 10.1093/pubmed/fdad144. PMID: 37580860.

Mental Health America. (2023). 2023 Workplace Wellness Research--Mind the Workplace Survey. https://www.mhanational.org/2023-workplace-wellness-research

Radu, C. 2023. Fostering a Positive Workplace Culture: Impacts on Performance and Agility. Human Resource Management – An Update. InTech Open.

Rand, 2023. Spending on Mental Health Services Has Risen by More Than Half Since Beginning of Pandemic. https://www.rand.org/news/press/2023/08/25/index1.html 

Rasool, S. F. (2021). How Toxic Workplace Environment Effects the Employee Engagement: The Mediating Role of Organizational Support and Employee Wellbeing—International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

Young, E. &. (2023, September 6). Ernst & Young--building a better working world. Retrieved from Ernst & Young website August 2023: https://www.ey.com/en_gl/news/2023/09/ey-survey-finds-global-workers-feel-sense-of-belonging-at-their-workplaces-yet-most-are-uncomfortable-sharing-all-aspects-of-their-identities.