Additionally, a staggering 42% of over-55 women have never been asked about their wellbeing by their manager; almost three times more than 18-24 women (15%).

Questioned about skills that managers need in the workplace, 68% of women over 55 said that listening was by far the most important attribute – at least twice as important as decision-making (38%), delegating (31% and being organised (29%).

Considering that less than half (43%) of women over 55 feel comfortable talking to their manager about mental health, this highlights the significant challenge this group can face in the workplace, as they go through menopause and experience a range of mental health-led symptoms, including anxiety, difficulty concentrating, panic disorder or memory loss.

Unmind polled 3,005 office workers (1,500 managers and 1,505 employees) to better understand how challenges around poor management and mental health support contribute to issues such as burnout and quiet quitting.

Dr Nick Taylor, CEO and Co-Founder of Unmind, comments: “Menopause will affect 50% of the UK’s population at some point in their lives. It’s crucial that its potential impact on mental health is not only recognised in the workplace, but that managers are equipped to deal with the effects through better training and knowledge.

“People going through menopause must receive the necessary support that can improve their wellbeing at work. As a business priority, leaders need to look at their workforce demographic and plan ahead, to retain productivity levels and the diversity of their people.”

While women in mid-life are clear they need better support at work, this is not just a problem for this age group. The lack of proper mental wellbeing training for managers is creating a gap between managers and employees. The data shows that the two groups experience very different realities. Seven in ten (71%) managers say they feel comfortable having conversations about mental health, while only 54% of direct reports feel the same; in fact, a quarter (25%) feel uncomfortable. Likewise, while three-quarters (75%) of managers believe their company supports their mental health, only 63% of direct reports agree, with a huge 35% saying their company does not.

Almost a third of UK workers (28%) believe talking openly about their mental health at work could harm their chances of progression, while 27% have concerns around confidentiality. On the other hand, managers were most worried about saying the wrong thing (40%) and the stigma around certain conversations (35%). A third (32%) of all respondents said they would lie and blame a physical problem if they needed to take time off for mental health reasons, with one in ten people saying that talking about mental health is against their company culture entirely.

Over a quarter (26%) of managers and almost half (47%) of employees surveyed have never had any sort of mental health training. This has a tangible effect on productivity, as seven in ten (70%) direct reports say that having a manager who has the skills to discuss mental health would help them feel more supported and productive in their role. Similarly, 49% of managers state the lack of management training at their workplace contributes to lost productivity. 

Dr Nick Taylor, CEO and co-founder of Unmind, comments: “Our research highlights the profound impact our managers can have on our mental health, underscoring the urgent need for organisations to address the managerial skills gap. By acknowledging the incredible positive impact a skilled manager can have on their employees’ wellbeing and performance, companies can take meaningful steps to improve employee engagement, retention and ultimately the bottom line.”

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