What is the connection between high stress and poor productivity?

Alan Torrie, CEO of Morneau Shepell presented research findings on May 29, 2014

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The data tells us, there is a strong correlation between high stress levels and poor productivity.

80 per cent of Canadian employers say mental health is one of the top drivers of disability claims. In fact it’s 30 per cent of those claims. As a result, today mental health problems and illnesses account for more than $6 billion a year in lost productivity in Canada, with absenteeism a key factor.

Now, if you have a workplace culture that is, in effect, making people sick, or contributing to mental illness, you really need to appreciate the full human and business implications of that.

1. Lost productivity hurts your ability to compete. It makes your business weaker.
2. A toxic workplace culture will ultimately hurt your ability to hire – and retain – top talent. People won’t want to work for or join your team. And that too will affect how you compete.
3. Think of the costs as I mentioned. When someone goes on long-term disability until they’re 65, the costs can run up to $1 million or more. So there is the priority – the moral imperative – of helping vulnerable people to get back on their feet at work. And how can they do that if it means working in an environment that makes them sick? Surely, if we can take Asbestos out of the workplace we can put good brain health in.

read his full speech

http://www.morneaushepell.com/ca-en/insights/stress-mental-health-and-workforce-productivity