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MENTAL HEALTH – Extended lockdowns and distance from family, friends, and colleagues are harsh
realities that have catapulted mental health, loneliness, and isolation to the top of this list. For 69% of
respondents, the pandemic magnified the importance of employee mental health, and 75% ranked it
as their number one emerging issue. While no one would have chosen these circumstances to make
it happen, it is good that this topic is finding its way into work and social conversations. The more we
talk openly about preventing mental harms and protecting mental health, the more we will break down
the stigma that still enshrouds this issue.
2
STRESS MANAGEMENT – Stress gained 10% points landing in the second spot behind mental health.
A poll conducted by Nanos on behalf of the Mental Health Commission of Canada in May 2020,
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revealed that many Canadians feel stressed regularly or all the time, and these levels had doubled
since before COVID. In addition, 40% of respondents said that their mental health had declined since
the onset of the pandemic. Fears related to physical well-being and personal finances were cited as
the primary reasons for feeling this way.
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CONTINUED INFECTION CONTROL OF PANDEMIC – This was identified as an emerging issue for
63% of respondents. One of the primary concerns raised in written responses was the fear of COVID
fatigue setting in. 71% of Start of Journey respondents felt this was a major concern. Among the
others, responses ranged between 60% and 65%. One respondent noted, "The biggest one will be
complacency; already see many people (including myself) not being very scared of COVID anymore.
Consensus amongst many workers is that it's just another bad flu."
WSPS.CA | 2021 HEALTH & SAFETY LEADERSHIP SURVEY WHITE PAPER 27
EMERGING ISSUES
" We are forced to take a look at how our employees are functioning safely, both physically and
mentally, during the COVID crisis not only while they work from home, but also as they return
to the office and also considering a blend of the two." —Survey respondent
MOST NOTABLE AMONG THOSE AT THE START OF THE JOURNEY, WHERE THIS
WENT FROM HARDLY NOTICEABLE TO A MAJOR CONCERN.
REMOTE WORKING HAS JUMPED IN
IMPORTANCE AS A H&S CONCERN
VS
2019
Leading
56%
+32%
Proactive
46%
+31%
Managing
46%
+27%
Reactive
50%
+31%
Start of Journey
71%
+64%
