Don’t assume that your managers all have similar attitudes about mental health issues in the workplace. According to a new study, male managers are more likely have negative attitudes about depression. In fact, the more senior the position, the bigger the share of men with negative attitudes. At the same time, women in more senior positions are also less likely to be empathic about employees or coworkers with depression.
Specifically:
- 24% of male respondents express negative attitudes toward depression, compared to 12% of female leaders.
- Men are more likely to agree that they feel uncertain around co-workers with depression, that these employees are a burden on the workplace, and that these employees should not work while on medication.
- Male managers say they are less likely or unlikely to appoint/hire anyone with a known history of depression.
- Both male and female managers say they feel personally stressed if a worker has depression.
