Skip to main content
  • Personal
  • Business
  • Foundation
    Close
    • Global
    • India
    • MENA
  • mySHRM Login
  • MySHRM
    • Dashboard
    • Account
    • Logout
SHRM
  • Membership
    • Membership

      As a SHRM Member®, you’ll pave the path of your success with invaluable resources, world-class educational opportunities and premier events.

      Membership Benefits
  • Certification
    • SHRM Certification

      Demonstrate your ability to apply HR principles to real-life situations.

      • Register for the SHRM US Batch
      • Self-Study for your SHRM CP/SCP Certification
      • Book your SHRM CP/SCP Exam
      Prepare for the Exam
      • Exam Preparation
      • SHRM BASK
      • SHRM Learning System
      • Instructor-Led Learning
      • Self-Study
      Specialty Credentials

      Demonstrate targeted competence and enhance your HR credibility.

      ACHRM
      CEHRM
      PMQ
  • Events
    • MENA Events

      Demonstrate your ability to apply HR principles to real-life situations.

      • MENA Annual Conference
      • CEO Academy
      • SHRM Leadership Circle
      Global Events
      • US Annual Conference
Become a Member
Renew
Rejoin Now
Renew
Close
  • Personal
  • Business
  • Foundation
  • Membership
    back
    Membership
    • Membership

      As a SHRM Member®, you’ll pave the path of your success with invaluable resources, world-class educational opportunities and premier events.

      Membership Benefits
  • Certification
    back
    Certification
    • SHRM Certification

      Demonstrate your ability to apply HR principles to real-life situations.

      • Register for the SHRM US Batch
      • Self-Study for your SHRM CP/SCP Certification
      • Book your SHRM CP/SCP Exam
      Prepare for the Exam
      • Exam Preparation
      • SHRM BASK
      • SHRM Learning System
      • Instructor-Led Learning
      • Self-Study
      Specialty Credentials

      Demonstrate targeted competence and enhance your HR credibility.

      ACHRM
      CEHRM
      PMQ
  • Events
    back
    Events
    • MENA Events

      Demonstrate your ability to apply HR principles to real-life situations.

      • MENA Annual Conference
      • CEO Academy
      • SHRM Leadership Circle
      Global Events
      • US Annual Conference
Become a Member
Renew
Rejoin Now
Renew
    • Global
    • India
    • MENA
SHRM
mySHRM Login
  • MySHRM
    • Dashboard
    • Account
    • Logout
Close

  1. Press Room
  2. 35% of Workers Say Their Jobs Have a Negative Effect on their Mental Health, New SHRM Mental Health Research Notes
Share
  • Linked In
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Vivamus convallis sem tellus, vitae egestas felis vestibule ut.


Error message details.

Copy button
Reuse Permissions

Request permission to republish or redistribute SHRM content and materials.


Learn More
Press Release

35% of Workers Say Their Jobs Have a Negative Effect on their Mental Health, New SHRM Mental Health Research Notes

Email: edward.burke@shrm.org Contact Us at press@shrm.org How We Can Help ... Press releases on breaking and trending workforce news

May 1, 2024

ALEXANDRIA, VA – SHRM, the trusted authority on all things work, launched its “Employee Mental Health in 2024” Research Series. The research reveals a concerning landscape where a significant portion of workers face challenges affecting their mental health and productivity at work. 

Approximately half of workers report feeling used up (51%), emotionally drained (45%), or burned out (44%) from their work. Additionally, stress, overwhelm, and anxiety are prevalent feelings among employees, highlighting the urgent need for organizations to address mental health issues proactively.

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month and as part of its ongoing commitment to assess American workplace conditions as they pertain to HR considerations, SHRM is proud to advocate for positive and constructive workplace cultures that protect employees’ mental wellness and promote healthy work-life integration. 

“As we shine a spotlight on the connection between workplaces and mental health this May, SHRM is honored to share its findings on this pivotal relationship,” said Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., SHRM-SCP, President and CEO, SHRM. “Our research underscores the role that mental health plays in employees’ decisions to leave their jobs and establishes a history of employees enduring difficult coworkers and people managers in order to achieve their career goals. We urge all organizations to consider employee mental health as they develop dynamic strategies for talent retention and employee engagement.”

Key Findings:

  • 35% of people say their job has a negative effect on their mental health. Fewer workers reported their job has a neutral or positive effect on their mental health.

  • More than half of workers feel pressured to prioritize organizational well-being over their personal well-being (52%), putting workers in difficult situations where they must decide between protecting their jobs or advancing their careers and their personal well-being. 

  • 50% of workers say they do not feel comfortable using or asking for mental health resources at their organization or business. 

  • At least 1 in 5 workers report they have taken a lower-paying job (34%), pursued a different career (26%), or left a job without having another one lined up (22%) to protect their personal well-being.

  • 33% of people managers say their leadership role is not worth the stress that comes with it. 

  • 40% of people managers said their mental health declined when they entered a managerial or leadership role. 

Methodology:

A sample of 1,405 U.S. workers were surveyed from January 30 to February 1, 2024, using a third-party online panel. All workers were paid employees of an organization. Data is unweighted.

About SHRM

SHRM is a member-driven catalyst for creating better workplaces where people and businesses thrive together. As the trusted authority on all things work, SHRM is the foremost expert, researcher, advocate, and thought leader on issues and innovations impacting today’s evolving workplaces.  With nearly 340,000 members in 180 countries, SHRM touches the lives of more than 362 million workers and their families globally. Discover more at SHRM.org. 


Related Articles

(opens in a new tab)
News
How One Company Uses Digital Tools to Boost Employee Well-Being

Learn how Marsh McLennan successfully boosts staff well-being with digital tools, improving productivity and work satisfaction for more than 20,000 employees.

(opens in a new tab)
News
A 4-Day Workweek? AI-Fueled Efficiencies Could Make It Happen

The proliferation of artificial intelligence in the workplace, and the ensuing expected increase in productivity and efficiency, could help usher in the four-day workweek, some experts predict.

(opens in a new tab)
News
Rising Demand for Workforce AI Skills Leads to Calls for Upskilling

As artificial intelligence technology continues to develop, the demand for workers with the ability to work alongside and manage AI systems will increase. This means that workers who are not able to adapt and learn these new skills will be left behind in the job market.

HR Daily Newsletter

New, trends and analysis, as well as breaking news alerts, to help HR professionals do their jobs better each business day.

Success title

Success caption

Manage Subscriptions
Our Brands

SHRM Foundation Logo
SHRM Executive Network Logo
CEO Circle Logo
SHRM Business Logo
SHRM Linkage Logo
SHRM Labs
Overview


  • About SHRM
  • Careers at SHRM
  • Press Room
  • Contact SHRM MENA
  • Ask an Advisor
  • SHRM Newsletter
  • Copyright & Permission
Contact Us


Email: SHRM.MEA@shrm.org
Landline: +971 43649464

SHRM KSA Office (Riyadh)
+966507266968

SHRM UAE Office (Dubai)
+971581101786


© 2025 SHRM. All Rights Reserved
SHRM provides content as a service to its readers and members. It does not offer legal advice, and cannot guarantee the accuracy or suitability of its content for a particular purpose. Disclaimer

Follow Us

  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube

  1. Privacy Policy

  2. Terms of Use

  3. Accessibility

Join SHRM for Exclusive Access to Member Content

SHRM Members enjoy unlimited access to articles and exclusive member resources.

Already a member?
Free Article
Limit Reached

Get unlimited access to articles and member-exclusive resources.

You've reached the limit of 1 free article this month. Join to access unlimited articles and member-only resources.

Already a member?
Free Article
Exclusive Executive-Level Content

This content is for the SHRM Executive Network and Executive Content Subscription members only.

You've reached the limit of 1 free article this month. Join the Executive Network and enjoy unlimited content.

Already a member?
Free Article
Exclusive Executive-Level Content

This content is for the SHRM Executive Network and Executive Content Subscription members only.

You've reached the limit of 1 free article this month. Join and enjoy unlimited access to SHRM Executive Network Content.

Already a member?
Unlock Your Career with SHRM Membership

Please enjoy this free resource! Join SHRM for unlimited access to exclusive articles and tools.

Already a member?

Your membership is almost expired! Renew today for unlimited access to member content.

Renew now

Your membership has expired. Renew today for unlimited access to member content.

Renew Now

Your Executive Network membership is nearing its expiration. Renew now to maintain access.

Renew Now

Your membership has expired. Renew your Executive Network benefits today.

Renew Now