Managers are experiencing greater levels of mental distress than non-managers due to the changes implemented in the workplace throughout the pandemic, according to a study from Morneau Shepell, a provider of technology-enabled HR services focusing on employee wellbeing.

In March 2021, the research found that managers have lower mental health scores (-10.7) when compared to non-managers (-10.5), with the group more than 40% more likely than non-managers to report a negative impact of the pandemic to their mental health. Managers were, however, more than twice as likely to report improved peer relationships when compared to non-managers.

“Managers have been faced with significant pressure throughout the past year, dealing with the same pressures as everyone, plus the increased demands of leaders during the pandemic,” said Paula Allen, global leader and senior vice president, research and total wellbeing, Morneau Shepel. “This responsibility for the wellbeing of others, combined with increasing workplace obligations in managerial roles, suggest the clear need to focus on this group. In addition to specific support programs for managers, it is also critical to ensure they are well equipped to deal with the impact of change and uncertainly among their staff. Manager training on workplace mental health has never been more critical, and is as important to the stress level of managers who want to know what to do, as it is to the employees they support.”

The study also found that employees need increased flexibility in a post-pandemic workplace.

While nearly two-thirds (65%) of employees want flexibility to work from home once the pandemic is over, more than one-quarter (27%) of employees reported that they do not believe their employer will support remote work. This group also reported the lowest mental health score (-16.5) when compared to individuals who expect a flexible work structure (-9.5), indicating heightened importance for employers to listen to employees and adjust policies to meet their needs.

Morneau Shepell’s study also found that declining depression and optimism continue to put the mental health of Australians at risk. The study’s Mental Health Index score for March is -11.1. Negative scores indicate a lower level of mental health compared to the pre-2020 benchmark.

“Australia currently has very low risk of transmission and reached a new milestone with the opening of the ‘travel bubble’ with New Zealand. Despite this progress, empirical evidence suggests that Australians continue to struggle with finding optimism,” said Jamie MacLennan, managing director, Australia and APAC. “This unfortunate reality demonstrates that the long-term effects of the pandemic have the potential to be much more harmful to Australians’ wellbeing than the concerns they have dealt with over the last year. Strategies that address and de-stigmatise mental health, training and communication to support managers, as well as encouragement to use mental health resources are essential to the health of the workforce.”