The latest TELUS Mental Health Index finds that 42 per cent of Canadian 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.
Paula Allen
“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
Matthew Chow
“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.”
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.
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
Mario Toneguzzi
Mario Toneguzzi is Managing Editor of Canada’s Podcast. He has more than 40 years of experience as a daily newspaper writer, columnist, and editor. He was named in 2021 as one of the Top 10 Business Journalists in the World by PR News – the only Canadian to make the list. He was also named by RETHINK to its global list of Top Retail Experts 2024.
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