Today’s issue of WorkCompRecap features the release of a new report from the National Safety Council that found 50% of large employers (those with 250 or more employees) have observed an increase in mental health or impairment-related absences and incidents during the pandemic.
NSC noted that one in four employers with an employee assistance program implemented that program for the first time, and two-thirds expanded their offerings during the pandemic. Other notable findings included that people who felt unsafe at work were two to three times more likely to experience symptoms of depression and anxiety disorders than those who did not. The SAFER report’s findings also formed the basis of the Council’s development of recommended actions for employers to prioritize the mental health and wellbeing of workers as well as long-term COVID-19 safety practices.