Today, TELUS Health released its TELUS Mental Health Index with reports examining the mental health of employed people in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, Singapore, New Zealand and Australia. The Canadian report reveals that 42 per cent of workers feel mentally and/or physically exhausted at the end of their workday, with too much work cited as the top cause of burnout. The Index also found that 33 per cent of workers believe that Artificial Intelligence (AI) will have a positive impact on their industry.
“There is no question that AI’s advancement will bring significant benefits, potentially as pivotal as the industrial or internet age,” said Paula Allen, Global Leader, Research & Client Insights, TELUS Health. “Organizations have the opportunity to engage employees in this evolution by ensuring that AI tools and training are readily accessible to employees, and enabling them to explore the technology firsthand so they can discover the ways it benefits them in their own work. As with any change, the best way to implement change is to engage people from the start, empowering them to grasp the possibilities and contribute valuable insights.”
The TELUS Mental Health Index also found:
- Seventeen per cent of workers are considering upgrading their AI skills.
- Managers and younger workers are at least twice as likely as non managers and workers over 50 to be considering upgrading their skills related to the use of AI.
- Parents are nearly twice as likely as non-parents to consider upgrading their AI skills.
- Almost half of workers believe that AI will have a positive impact on healthcare.
- Workers under 40 are nearly twice as likely as workers over 50 to find it increasingly difficult to be motivated to do their work.
As a leader in technology, TELUS is at the forefront of integrating and scaling AI and generative technologies across its business operations, team members and customer interactions. By fostering a culture of innovation and continuous learning, TELUS empowers its team members to adopt and experiment with its internal AI tools in a safe and secure environment, free from the fear of making mistakes. TELUS is committed to developing a skilled, AI-enabled workforce to fully harness the potential of AI-powered innovation and growth.
“It’s clear that a significant portion of employees are grappling with motivation and burnout,” said Dr. Matthew Chow, Chief Mental Health Officer, TELUS Health. “Personal issues, excessive workloads, and a lack of recognition are among the contributors to burnout. Introducing AI tools thoughtfully and responsibly within organizations can assist employers in streamlining repetitive and low-value tasks to assist with the workload issue. This also can create space for employees to engage in innovative and strategic endeavors that are more meaningful and productive. Additionally, creating a supportive environment is paramount. By prioritizing employee wellbeing, offering adequate support and fostering a healthy culture, organizations empower their teams to avoid burnout and thrive in the workplace.”
While many workplaces offer Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) that could help support employees in situations of burnout, TELUS Health research reveals that two-in-five workers in Canada do not know what an EAP is. The mental health scores of workers who don’t know or report that their employer doesn’t offer an EAP is at least three points lower than workers with an EAP.
In April 2024, the mental health scores of workers in various regions were:
- Canada: 64.0
- United States: 71.0
- United Kingdom: 64.6
- Europe: 62.0
- Australia: 62.5
- New Zealand: 60.6
- Singapore: 62.9
The TELUS Mental Health Index is based on a response scoring system that turns individual responses into point values. Higher point values are associated with better mental health and less mental health risk. Scores between 0 to 49 correspond with distress levels, scores between 50 to 79 correspond with strain levels and scores between 80 to 100 correspond with optimal levels of mental health.
The June TELUS Mental Health Index also includes insights related to workplace productivity and motivation in addition to burnout levels and causes. Read the full Canadian TELUS Mental Health Index here.
