Strain in the workforce is beginning to show up in a number of research efforts to document the trend, including those undertaken independently by virtual health and wellness platform, Dialogue Health Technologies Inc. and TELUS Health.

Dialogue’s Health and Well-Being Report: A Canadian Benchmark assessing five areas of health and well-being, including mood, stress, sleep, physical activity and sense of purpose, reveals a steep decline in well-being among employees over age 40. They say a significant factor contributing to the decline, particularly among those over 40, was increasing strain felt by ‘sandwich generation’ employees caring for children and aging relatives at the same time.

“While this responsibility spans age groups, it is especially common among people over 40 who are often at the peak of their careers while managing considerable caregiving pressure,” the report’s authors note, adding that 15 per cent are reducing their working hours, 10 per cent are declining work opportunities and 26 per cent have taken a leave of absence. “More than a third of these employees also report higher rates of burnout,” they write. 

The strategies Dialogue’s researchers recommend include flexible caregiving leave, mid-career coaching and training, manager training and personalized employee support resources. “When work life challenges are managed effectively, 76 per cent of employees report higher productivity,” they write.

Overall, the benchmark well-being score came in at 41.5 out of 100. Lowest well-being scores were reported by employees in the 20 to 29 age group. Employees over 40 experienced the sharpest decline in well-being – an eight per cent decrease compared to the previous six-month period. “These results are significant, as employers in this age group are often among the most experienced and productive team members and leaders in an organization,” they state. “Their struggles can cascade to their employees, shaping how teams function, collaborate and remain motivated.”

Manager training 

Where the two surveys overlap is in matters of manager training: Dialogue recommends mid-career training targeted at leaders to recognize the early signs of stress and reduce stigma. The TELUS Mental Health Index examination of the workplace stigma associated with mental health issue disclosure, meanwhile, shows that mental health stigma in Canada has shown minimal improvement since 2021.

“The challenge extends beyond employee stigma. A significant number of managers report they are unequipped to help employees deal with mental health issues in the workplace,” TELUS researchers write. “Leaders admit they lack the knowledge and skills to respond when mental health challenges arise in their teams.” 

In Canada, just 48 per cent of managers surveyed said they would know what to do to support employees struggling with a mental health issue; 34 per cent said their organization does not offer training for people leaders in supporting a mentally healthy workplace.

Among the Canadian survey respondents, 45 per cent said they feared mental health issue disclosure would limit their career advancement opportunities.

“Provide effective manager training,” they conclude. “Every country in our analysis identified manager training as critical.”