Workplace mental health study reveals gap between managers and employees

A study by Highberg for HSK reveals a significant disconnect between managers and employees regarding mental health in the workplace. While 59 percent of managers believe they notice when an employee is struggling, only 25 percent of employees agree.

Research suggests this gap is not merely a lack of managerial observation skills, but a deeper issue regarding psychological safety. Approximately 42 percent of employees do not discuss mental health issues at work, often due to ingrained cultural norms that view vulnerability as a weakness.

Studies by Equimundo and Unilever highlight the economic consequences of these rigid masculinity norms, estimating annual damages of at least $3.8 billion in the United Kingdom and $15.7 billion in other regions.