Study finds investing in mentally healthy workplaces is good for
people, good for business
MONTRÉAL, Nov. 4, 2019 /CNW/
- Bell today welcomed Deloitte
Canada's release of its study of 10 major Canadian companies
that found organizations operating workplace mental health programs
achieve a significant return on investment (ROI) with clear human
resources and financial benefits.
The first study of its kind in Canada, Deloitte's The ROI in workplace mental
health programs: Good for people, good for business is based
on data collected from Bell, Air Canada, ATB Financial, Canada
Life, CIBC, Desjardins Group, Enbridge, Energir, Husky Energy and
Morneau Shepell.
Deloitte analyzed savings achieved from reduced short and
long-term disability costs and increased productivity relative to
the costs of mental health programs, calculating a median annual
ROI of $1.62 for companies with
programs in place up to 3 years and $2.18 for those with initiatives in place longer
than 3 years.
Deloitte found that Bell's ROI for its workplace mental health
program, implemented in 2010 as part of the Bell Let's Talk
initiative, was $4.10. Bell's
initiatives to improve mental health awareness, training and
benefits have reduced short-term disability claims related to
mental health by 20%, and reduced relapse and recurrence by
50%.
"Workplace mental health leadership has been a key pillar of
Bell Let's Talk, alongside anti-stigma, access to care and
research, since the beginning of the initiative. We're pleased to
have participated in Deloitte's ground-breaking study, which
confirms the value of promoting mental health on the job for both
your team and your bottom line," said George Cope, President and CEO of BCE and
Bell Canada. "We hope the clear
benefits achieved by these leading Canadian companies studied by
Deloitte will encourage more businesses to enhance or introduce
their own mental health programs. Bell is always open to sharing
our experiences with other companies interested in introducing
workplace mental health initiatives."
The Deloitte report reinforces the value in adopting Canada's
National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the
Workplace. Adopted by Bell in 2013, this important guide developed
by the Mental Health Commission of Canada with partners such as
Bell Let's Talk helps organizations of all kinds create work
environments that support the overall mental well-being of
employees.
Other recent Canadian studies have highlighted the need for
improvements in workplace mental health awareness and action,
including the 2019 Sun Life Barometer, which determined 60% of
workers struggling with mental health issues are not accessing
support from their workplace benefits, and research by RBC
Insurance that found while 30% of those who have taken
disability leave did so for mental health reasons, two-thirds of
Canadians continue to see workplace disability as a physical issue;
most people surveyed did not view depression and anxiety as
disabilities.
About Bell
Bell is Canada's largest communications
company, providing advanced broadband wireless, TV, Internet,
business communications services and premier multimedia content and
platforms with Bell Media. Founded in Montréal in 1880, Bell is
wholly owned by BCE Inc. To learn more, please visit
Bell.ca or BCE.ca.
The Bell Let's Talk initiative promotes Canadian mental health
with national awareness and anti-stigma campaigns like Bell Let's
Talk Day and significant Bell funding of community care and access,
research and workplace leadership initiatives across the country.
To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.
Media inquiries:
Jacqueline Michelis
613-785-1427
jacqueline.michelis@bell.ca
@Bell_News
Investor inquiries:
Thane Fotopoulos
514-870-4619
thane.fotopoulos@bell.ca
SOURCE Bell Canada