Study Shows 1 in 4 Canadian Women in the Workplace Are Experiencing Mental Health Challenges
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International Women's Day is an important time to not only celebrate women’s contributions but to also reflect on gender inequality and advocate for change on a global scale.
To understand the inequalities and opportunities that exist for women in the workforce, Indeed commissioned a global study surveying more than 14,500 individuals who identify as women across 11 countries, including Canada.
Overall, the results highlighted many of the challenges that women face in the workplace including:
- 1 in 4 Canadian women reported they are currently experiencing mental health challenges
- This percentage was highest in Atlantic Canada at 30%, while Quebec reported the lowest number in the country at 16%
- While many women are dealing with these challenges, only 52% of women feel comfortable discussing these mental health challenges with their managers
- Only 15% of women are satisfied with Canada’s steps to close the gender pay gap
- 42% of Canadian women believe women need to work harder than men to gain recognition for their achievements, with 56% citing sexism or unconscious bias in society and organisations as the reason for this
Compared to the global average (57%), Canadian women also report much lower satisfaction with their current pay, with 65% indicating they are not paid enough and 45% of Canadian women feeling uncomfortable asking for a pay raise. With this in mind, Indeed has put forward steps for employers to use to support women in the workplace, including:
- Pay transparency within organisations and on job postings
- Structured career planning and/or educational resources for employees
- DEIB+ task force creation
Find the full report here.
