More than half of workers in Singapore do not have trusted workplace relationships, one in ten don't feel respected or valued by colleagues: report
Telus Health's Mental Health Index reveals findings on isolation and lack of trust in workplace and personal relationships, especially among young workers
SINGAPORE — Over half of workers in Singapore (55 per cent) lack trusted relationships in the workplace, leading to feelings of isolation and loneliness, according to the latest Mental Health Index released on Friday (22 March) by Telus Health, a provider of health technology services.
These workers without trusted workplace relationships are more than four times more prone to report feelings of isolation than those with such relationships, according to the index.
Meanwhile, over half of the workers (52 per cent) do not have trusted personal relationships, making them nearly six times more likely to feel isolated than workers with trusted personal relationships.
This issue is particularly prevalent among younger workers aged 40 and below, who are 80 per cent more likely than workers over 50 years old to lack trusted personal relationships. The younger workers are also 50 per cent more likely to lack trusted workplace relationships than their older counterparts.
Regarding authenticity, more than two in five workers (42 per cent) do not trust anyone enough to be their true selves, the report from Telus found.
Younger workers are 40 per cent more likely than workers over 50 to report not having anyone they trust enough to be their true selves with.
Loneliness in the workplace
These findings highlight the issue of loneliness, which the World Health Organization (WHO) has recognised as a pressing health threat, and likened to well-known health risks such as smoking, obesity, and lack of physical activity.
Haider Amir, Director, Asia at Telus Health, emphasised the ripple effects of isolation and loneliness in the workplace. He said: "Without reliable connections and a supportive environment where individuals can authentically express themselves, challenges inevitably arise.
"It is imperative to proactively address the detrimental effects of isolation and loneliness on employee health and productivity, as doing so not only enhances wellbeing but also yields financial benefits for employers," he added.
The Telus Health Mental Health Index conducts reports across various regions, including Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Europe.
Data for the latest index was collected through an online survey involving 3,000 respondents from 13 January to 22 January 2024.
Other challenges faced by workers in Singapore
The index also revealed other challenges workers face in Singapore. One in ten workers do not feel valued and respected by their colleagues and are 60 per cent more likely to report mental health adversely affecting work productivity.
Nearly half of workers indicate that their employer does not support/are unsure about support for psychological health and safety, while 41 per cent do not perceive, or are unsure, that harassment, bullying, unhealthy conflict, and other harmful behaviours are quickly and fairly resolved in their workplace.
Paula Allen, Global Leader, Research & Client Insights at Telus Health, said the index findings reflect a concerning reality, in particular for younger workers.
She pointed out that rapid societal changes, coupled with diminishing social support, are taking their toll. Moreover, factors such as inflation, housing affordability, and the risk of job loss are clear stressors, particularly for those starting their careers, who often have less financial stability.
Paula further added that organisations could help by focusing on building a culture of trust, which counters isolation, and emphasising their health, personal, and financial programmes, which offer support.
Examining mental well-being across borders
In January, mental health scores across regions were: United States: 70.7, United Kingdom: 64.7, Canada: 63.5, Australia: 63.1, Singapore: 62.6, Europe: 62.0 and New Zealand: 59.6
The Telus Mental Health Index uses a scoring system in which higher points indicate better mental health. Scores between 0 and 49 correspond to distress levels, 50 to 79 correspond to strain levels, and 80 to 100 correspond to optimal levels of mental health.
The data for this particular report was collected through online surveys of 1,000 people who live in Singapore and are currently employed, or who were employed within the last six months.
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