The WorkAbility Bulletin
Your source of up-to-date news, information, and resources in the world of Mental Health and Employment in Canada.
Culture, Not Policy, Encourages Mental Health Openness
A study led by SFU’s (Simon Fraser University) Zhanna Lyubykh highlights that workplace culture has a greater impact than formal policies when it comes to employees disclosing mental health concerns. Employees are significantly more likely to speak up when they believe their workplace is genuinely supportive and nonjudgmental.
The research shows that daily interactions and social signals—such as how leaders respond to disclosures, how peers react, and whether mental health conversations are normalized—play a crucial role. Simply having mental health programs in place isn’t enough if the culture around them is unsupportive.
Organizations with positive, stigma-free cultures see benefits like reduced absenteeism, better job performance, and higher retention. In contrast, unsupportive environments can lead to increased stress, silence around mental health, and the loss of valuable employees.
Ultimately, the study urges companies to focus on building psychologically safe workplaces by training leaders, modeling openness, and ensuring that mental health is treated with the same seriousness and care as physical health.
Read the full article here
2025 Stats & Upcoming Legislation Changes
Mental Health at Work Report
MindShare Partners’ 2025 Mental Health at Work Report highlights that U.S. companies fostering supportive, inclusive cultures and flexible work environments experience significantly better mental health outcomes among employees. Workers at these organizations report fewer symptoms of burnout, anxiety, and depression. However, nearly half of full-time employees still face serious mental health challenges, driven by factors like political uncertainty, financial pressures, and global instability. These issues disproportionately affect younger workers, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and frontline staff. The report also finds that employees value work-life balance and inclusive workplaces more than standalone mental health perks. Despite progress, stigma remains—many still worry that speaking up about mental health could harm their job security. Although U.S.-based, the findings reflect similar patterns seen in Canada, underlining the need for systemic cultural shifts in how employers address mental health.
Artificial Intelligence’ Effect on the Labour Market
A 2024 report by Canada’s House of Commons HUMA Committee explores how artificial intelligence is affecting the labour market. It stresses the need to protect worker rights including those with diverse identities, ensure privacy, and support job transitions through training and upskilling. The report also calls for better data and research on AI's impact, along with updates to labour laws and ethical AI frameworks.
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The above information is offered with our quarterly newsletter, supporting employers with up to date resources and reports on Mental Health and Employment and upcoming WorkAbility opportunities.
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