Dear HR Managers and Business Owners,

Canadian employees are generally a satisfied lot, with the majority responding to a recent Ipsos Reid poll (November 2007) indicating that they feel fulfilled in their jobs and have the flexibility to work towards work-life balance.

But many also say their employers aren't quite as aware, or as accommodating, when it comes to mental health. While 46 per cent of the employees surveyed said their offices are cognizant of the stress levels employees are under and the effect of stress on productivity.

Managers surveyed estimated their total average cost in reduced efficiency and productivity due to mental health issues per year is $7,112.07 per employee, while the cost to their business over the same time is $9,919.70 a year per employee.

This will likely be a growing issue in the coming months as employers seek additional ways to attract top talent, increase productivity, and watch the bottom line impact.

Cheers,