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The secret sauce of any organization is not just its ability to run a profitable business but how best to attract and retain employees. In its monthly Mental Health Index, LifeWorks, supported by Telus Health, shows that pay, benefits and flexibility are the largest factors in choosing an employer.

"Health benefits – and particularly mental health benefits – have moved center stage and have a tangible impact on employees, their families and where they want to work," notes Telus Health chief operating office, Michael Dingle. "With the Mental Health Index, business leaders can see that benefits and other key employment priorities, like flexibility and quality leadership, correlate directly to worker effort, productivity and mental health."

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When asked about why they choose an employer:

  • 33% say that benefits and services offered for health and wellbeing is the most important factor when choosing an employer
  • 29% prioritize flexibility as the most important factor
  • 21% consider the type of work most important
  • 12% would choose employers with a reputation of a positive workplace culture

Also, individuals ages 40 and under are 60% more likely than those ages 50 and older to indicate that flexibility is the most important factor when choosing an employer.

The Mental Health Index score for October was 69.2 points out of 100, a slight decrease from September's score of 70.2, but higher than last year's score of 69. In other words, the mental health of U.S. workers continues to be strained.

"Although pandemic-related restrictions have essentially ended, the mental health scores show persistent feelings of anxiety and isolation among American workers," explains Paula Allen, LifeWorks global leader and senior vice-president, research and total wellbeing. "At the same time, they face new stressors of inflation and the risk of recession, all negatively impacting overall mental health. In this environment, we clearly see the influence of workplace leaders on mental health."

Overall, notes the Index, employees who rate their manager as strong in five key areas (autonomy, charisma, humanity, participative, and team-oriented) have better mental health than those rating their manager poorly. People who rate their manager poorly in those categories have 2.5 times lower productivity than those rating their manager more favorably.

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