Media and tech staff ‘have best mental health benefits’

With Blue Monday in full swing, and the working from home debate raging louder than ever, a new study claims that those working in media, technology and data have some of the best benefits in the country, with the sector leading the way when it comes to tackling mental health issues.

Carried out by digital agency Reboot Online, the research reveals there are currently 8,884 job ads in the sector that feature mental health-related keywords – representing 23.56% of all such ads across industries.

Key benefits like health insurance (28.49% across all industries) and employee assistance programmes (19.08%) dominate the offerings. Although perks like yoga classes (3.24%) and meditation spaces (0.36%) are less common, the sector’s overall focus on mental health reflects its progressive approach to employee wellbeing.

These efforts align with the industry’s broader adoption of flexible working arrangements, high salaries, and, remote work, despite WPP’s move to get staff back in the office. All of these factors , are said to contribute to improved mental health outcomes.

A separate study by Forbes noted that happiness levels increase by 20% when employees can work remotely – an advantage readily available in tech roles but increasingly being rein in elsewhere.

Hospitals and healthcare rank second in the table, with 7,651 job ads including mental health-related benefits. Health insurance (25% across all industries) and mental health training (18.56%) are among the top offerings, alongside mental health days (20.27%).

Despite the high-stress environment, these initiatives highlight the industry’s recognition of its workforce’s mental health needs, accounting for 20.29% of all mental health-related job ads.

Professional services comes in third with 4,894 relevant job ads, comprising 12.98% of all such listings. The standout offering here is health insurance, appearing in 35.41% of its ads, significantly higher than other benefits like employee assistance programmes (13.53%) and mental health days (11.89%). The sector’s emphasis on robust benefits packages likely stems from its competitive landscape and high employee expectations.

At the opposite end of the spectrum lies farming and forestry, with just 96 job ads featuring mental health-related keywords, amounting to a mere 0.25% of all ads analysed.

While employee assistance programmes (33.33%) and health insurance (34.38%) feature prominently, other resources like yoga classes or wellness apps are entirely absent in the mental health keywords related to this industry. This stark contrast highlights a significant gap in mental health support within the sector.

Reboot Online chief executive Shai Aharony said: “Prioritising mental health is no longer a ‘nice-to-have’; it’s a critical component of long-term business success.

“A workforce that feels supported is more resilient, creative, and motivated, leading to higher productivity and innovation.

“Employers that prioritise mental wellbeing not only attract top talent but also reduce absenteeism and turnover, ultimately gaining a competitive edge in their industries. Investing in mental health is a smart business strategy that not only benefits employees but also safeguards business outcomes, creating a resilient workforce that drives sustainable growth.”

No doubt tens of thousands of WPP staff will be muttering: “Put that in your pipe and smoke it, Mark Read…”

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