Frequent overtime and lack of control over the pace of their work is the top mental health risk for employees across Asia, according to the initial findings of a region-wide survey by Mercer. 83 percent of employees reported that it is common for them to work overtime more than three times a week, with many working over weekends or public holidays. Furthermore, 61 percent said they are unable to take breaks when necessary.

Unsurprisingly, stress levels have soared since the beginning of the pandemic. The number of employees who said they experienced high levels of stress tripled from 7 percent to over 20 percent. Senior management and sales professionals are suffering the most—over 30 percent now say they are highly stressed, compared to 9 percent previously.

The stress is also exacerbated by management behavior, with a significant number of managers apparently having trouble managing, and passing the difficulty on to employees—42 percent of respondents said they find it challenging to manage their team, and 61 percent said they receive constant criticisms at work, especially if they are working in customer-facing positions or in middle management.

Clearly, there is more that employers can do, according to psychiatrist Dr Wolfgang Seidl, who is a partner with Mercer Health & Benefits. “The responsibility for creating a positive working environment supportive of employees’ broader emotional wellbeing lies with employers. Organizations increasingly need to support their employees to strike a healthy work-life balance by putting in place the right policies that elevate mental health and safety on a par with physical health and safety. "There is also a need for managers to receive training in identifying the early warning signs of employees requiring support,” he said.

It is not all bad, however. The survey also found that around two-thirds of employees feel well-supported by their managers, ranging from receiving clear communication to assistance in solving problems, or even just being heard and having their views taken into account. Over 70 percent also feel that their workplace is a safe and inclusive environment.

Mercer plans to release the full survey findings in November 2020.