Employers will not be surprised to learn that the mental health of workers has taken a significant hit since the beginning of the pandemic.  According to the 2024 Voice of the Workplace Report from Calm, the challenges are far from over:

• 7 in 10 employees say their mental health has stayed the same or worsened in the past year;
• 61% have felt down, depressed or hopeless recently;
• 8 in 10 say they have struggled with nervousness, anxiousness and stress recently; and
• Nearly 70% are having trouble falling asleep.

The report identified five trends that are having an impact on mental health in the workplace.

Financial woes are the top stressor for employees. When the rate of inflation falls, not all employees benefit equally, economists say. Employees who spend a larger share of their paycheck on food and rent are more affected by the weight of high prices, even prices that aren't continuing to rise. Combine this reality with the spate of layoffs, particularly in the tech industry, and it's easy to see why the cost of living and financial instability top the list of employee concerns negatively affecting their mental health.

Technology is contributing to burnout. The continued evolution of workplace technology, especially in support of remote work, enables employees to be more efficient and productive. On the flipside, it also can blur work–life boundaries and contribute to stress and burnout. With smartphones, messaging apps and instant access to the cloud from anywhere, employees often feel pressure to be "always on" and respond in the moment, both during and outside work hours.