What to know
- A new Sodexo Canada-Leger survey found 49 per cent of Canadian workers rank stress management among the top workplace supports they expect from employers.
- Only 26 per cent say their workplace currently provides strong stress management support, while 50 per cent want employers to improve in that area.
- Social connection was the highest-rated area of workplace support, with one-third of respondents saying their employer performs well.
- Younger workers are more likely to want improvements to workplace food and nutrition, while employees across all age groups want employers to play a larger role in supporting brain health.
As more Canadians return to the office, a new survey suggests many workers want employers to do more to support their mental well-being.
A Workplace Brain Health survey commissioned by Sodexo Canada and conducted by Leger found that 49 per cent of Canadian workers rank stress management among the top three workplace supports they expect from their employer.
Workers want more support for stress management
Despite the demand, only 26 per cent of respondents say their workplace currently provides strong stress management support. Meanwhile, half of Canadian workers (50 per cent) identified it as the area where they would most like to see improvement.
“We know that brain health is central to employee resilience, productivity and business growth. And employees expect their workplaces to support them with a holistic approach,” Sodexo Canada CEO Tanya Cerniuk said in a media release.
“As a leader in creating workplace conditions where people thrive, businesses grow and communities benefit, Sodexo supports employers in placing brain health at the centre of workplace design and management.”
Social connection remains a workplace strength
While stress management remains a key concern, the survey found employees are noticing progress in other areas.
One-third of respondents (33 per cent) said their workplace effectively supports social connection, making it the highest-rated area of workplace support.
Purpose and meaning also ranked highly, with 39 per cent of workers identifying it as a top priority and 31 per cent saying their employer supports it well. The findings suggest employees value understanding how their work contributes to a broader mission.
Younger workers want healthier workplaces
The survey also found that workplace design can influence brain health. Features such as natural light, good air quality, temperature control, acoustic design and indoor plants were all linked to improved cognitive performance.
Younger workers are placing greater emphasis on nutrition, with 31 per cent of respondents aged 18 to 34 saying they want their workplace to improve access to healthy food and nutrition options.
Overall, the survey found employees across all demographics expect employers to play a more active role in supporting brain health and overall well-being through a combination of mental health resources, workplace design and opportunities for social connection.
