World Mental Health Day 2021: More than half of India’s (55%) professionals are feeling stressed

World Mental Health Day 2021 is celebrated on October 10 each year. Linkedin launched a special ‘mental health’ edition of the Workforce Confidence Index to address the prevalence of work stress in India, and revealed in its survey that more than half of India’s (55%) employed professionals are feeling stressed at work as well-being measures become a luxury for many

Towards World Mental Health Day 2021, the world’s largest online professional network Linkedin has launched a special ‘mental health’ edition of the Workforce Confidence Index to address the prevalence of work stress in India, and how professionals expect greater flexibility to keep their mental health in check. Based on the survey responses of 3,881 professionals from July 31 to September 24, findings reveal that more than half of India’s (55%) employed professionals are feeling stressed at work as well-being measures become a luxury for many.

World Mental Health Day 2021:‘Balancing work with personal needs’ biggest challenge

The latest edition of the Workforce Confidence Index reveals that India’s overall workforce confidence remained steady with a composite score of +55 from July 31 to September 24, 2021, despite drastic transformations in the world of work. But keeping up with these times of change for the last 18 months has adversely affected the mental health of working professionals in the country. When asked to share their primary reasons for work stress, employed professionals cited ‘balancing work with personal needs’ (34%), ‘not making enough money’ (32%), and ‘slow career advancement’ (25%) as the top 3 stressors at work today. Amid such stressful times, 1 in 3 professionals are also seen drawing optimism from the availability of jobs (36%) and improved control over expenses (30%) in today’s recovering, yet competitive  jobs marketplace.

As workforce priorities continue to change in these transformative times, findings go on to indicate that flexibility and work-life balance will serve as critical talent drivers across the Indian professional landscape for years to come.

World Mental Health Day 2021: Employees need greater flexibility

Commenting on the findings, Ashutosh Gupta, India Country Manager, Linkedin, said, “These stressful times of change have impelled the need for greater flexibility and work-life balance among professionals. But our survey reveals a wide gap between what employees need and what employers are offering to cope with stress. While nearly half of (47%) employed professionals wish to end work at reasonable hours, only about one-thirds (36%) were actually able to do so. And while 41% planned for time-off, only 30% could take time off in the past two months. These alarming statistics reflect the urgency for companies to understand how creating a culture that encourages work-life balance and prioritises well being is critical moving forward.”

While greater flexibility remains a mutual need across generations, younger professionals found it easier to take a break than their older cohorts. Findings reveal that Millennials were 2x more likely to take time-offs, while Gen Z professionals were 1.5x more likely to take breaks during the day, when compared to Baby Boomers. Interestingly, Boomers were 1.5x more likely to be open with their colleagues about mental health and stress when compared to millennials as well as Gen Z professionals.

More than one in two (55%) employed professionals in India are feeling stressed at work as challenges on the mental health front abound, according to the latest edition of LinkedIn’s Workforce Confidence Index.

The online survey, conducted every two weeks, polled 3,881 individuals from July 31 to September 24.

World Mental Health Day 2021: Key findings of survey

👉  The top three stressors: Balancing work with family and personal needs, not making enough money and slow career advancement.

👉  There seems to be a wide gulf between expectation and reality.

– While 47% of employed professionals wanted to end work at reasonable hours, just 36% were actually able to do so.

– Similarly, while 41% planned to take time-off, only 33% could avail themselves of leave.

– Unplugging from work also proved a challenge: 22% wanted to not check in on work after hours, but only 16% were able to do so.

👉  Overall, Gen X (those born between 1965 and 1980) and millennials (born between 1981 and 1995) reported the highest levels of stress while boomers (born 1946-1964) fared relatively better.

– Gen X was also the most concerned about exposure to COVID from work.

👉 The good news? Nearly one in three professionals are feeling more confident about the availability of jobs and better control over their expenses.

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