EMPLOYED Americans would rather have access to mental health resources in the office instead of other work perks, a new poll suggests.
According to a recent survey of 2,000 American workers, 57percent would willingly give up free in-office food for free mental health resources instead.
Similarly, 62percent consider it a “red flag” when they encounter job listings that describe “how fun it is” to work for a prospective employer, while 53percent feel similarly about office perks like ping-pong tables or in-house coffee shops.
The data found this to be especially true with millennial respondents (25–40), who were over 30percent more likely to treat these perks with suspicion than baby boomers (56+).
The research, commissioned by Vida Health and reported by OnePoll, found that for almost six in 10, health benefits ranked as the most important non-salary-related factor they consider.
That’s about four times as many as those who cited an interest in the work itself 15percent.
Not surprisingly, health care stood out as the most sought-after benefit among 65percent of respondents, while lack of health insurance also topped the list of biggest deal breakers (42percent).
“Workers became used to making their own coffee and lunch,” said Chris Mosunic, PhD, Vida Health’s Chief Clinical Officer.
“But a lot of people still struggle with the extra stress and anxiety that bubbled up during the pandemic,” he explained. “They need additional support with both their physical and mental health.”
“Every company wants their workforce to be happy and healthy and in 2021, the key to that is improved access to mental health care.”
While seven in 10 admit to being more conscious of their mental health now than they were five years ago, many employers haven’t entirely caught up.
Despite 67percent of respondents stating they feel that their mental health is valued at their workplace, only one in four of these respondents believe mental health to be their employer’s “biggest priority.”
Meanwhile, 49percent believe that their physical health is considered by their employers to be more important than their mental health, compared to only 31percent who believe both to be equally important.
Another 54percent even claim that when it comes to mental health, their employer seems more concerned with how it affects their productivity than their actual well-being.
But not having the right benefits isn’t always a dealbreaker; more than half of those polled (58percent) had to compromise when they accepted their current position, including more millennials than any other demographic.
Overall, 53percent of survey-takers have stayed at an unsatisfying job to keep their benefits.
“Mental health struggles in the workplace aren’t rare,” added Mosunic.
“One in five employees in the U.S. struggle with a mental health ailment, which ends up costing employers billions of dollars annually.
“And while we’ve made strides by offering more benefits that address mental health, we’re still far from where we need to be because of issues like stigma, awareness and lack of access.
“What is truly needed is a benefits system that looks at employees as whole people — both mind and body.”
