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Ireland’s workforce is more stressed than the European average, as almost a quarter of employees took mental health leave last year.
According to a new survey, 24 per cent of workers called in sick due to their mental health in 2024, 6 per cent higher than the European average. The workplace is causing significant stress for many employees, with 29 per cent saying their organisation negatively impacts them.
Ivox carried out the survey for SD Worx Ireland, asking 1,000 employees about their well-being and their workplace. Stress is high with half of all respondents saying they find their work mentally demanding or stressful.
However, the tides are changing on opening up about mental health with 45 per cent of workers saying they feel comfortable discussing this with their team. In addition, 43 per cent say their organisation actively undertakes initiatives to support mental health.
A high percentage (69 per cent) say that their organisation publicly presents itself as committed to supporting its employees’ wellbeing. While a high percentage of respondents took time off work due to their mental health, many still find it difficult to take time off.
Some 39 per cent said they feel guilty when they call in sick, while the same percentage feel pressure to work even when they are ill. More than half (53 per cent) of respondents are not passionate about their job, and just see it as a means to make a living.
Despite high levels of stress among Ireland’s workforce, 53 per cent said they feel ultimately satisfied with their work-life balance. Country Leader of SD Worx Ireland, Eimear Byrne, said the research highlights some “concerning trends” around mental health and wellbeing in the Irish workplace.
She added: “Employees are feeling under pressure, which is resulting in many not believing in the work that they are doing. At a time when there is full employment in Ireland, organisations must prioritise creating environments where people feel supported, valued, and able to do meaningful work.”
Ms Byrne said while it’s encouraging to see organisations present themselves as supporting their employees’ wellbeing, it must be an all-round approach. In response to the survey, only 35 per cent said they believe their company cares about the financial well-being of its workers.
She continued: “It is encouraging to see that employees are not only being more open about their mental health at work, but that employers are placing an increased focus on their wellbeing. This must include financial well-being – but only 35 per cent of employees believe that their organisation cares about the financial well-being of its workers. Payroll must be part of this conversation.
“Timely, accurate pay builds financial security, while fair and transparent processes around sick leave, entitlements, and rewards help create a culture of trust.” In a 2023 study, Ireland was ranked one of the most stressed countries in Europe.
CBD company cbdolie.nl examined the depression prevalence, anxiety prevalence, reports of stress levels, reports of sadness levels, reports of enjoyment levels, and average weekly hours worked, to discover the continent’s most stressed countries.
Out of 35 countries, Greece was the most stressed, followed by Turkey, Portugal, Malta and Cyprus. Ireland came in fifth place, followed by Spain, Italy, France and Switzerland to make up the top 10 most stressed countries in Europe.
As this country’s workforce is stressed, teenagers are not doing much better. While a UNICEF report found that Irish teenagers are doing well in school, they are some of the least happy in life in high-income countries.
The study, which examined the mental and physical state of 43 OECD and EU countries, found that one in three Irish teenagers has “low life satisfaction”. Life satisfaction dipped in this country in recent years, with a notable decline in children’s mental health between the pre- and post-Covid periods.
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