Indian employees remain reluctant to discuss mental health at work due to fear of being judged or seen as incapable. A report released on World Mental Health Day highlighted these concerns.
The survey by job portal Naukri, covering 19,650 job seekers, found 31% of professionals feared appearing incapable, while nearly 30% worried about colleagues’ judgment. About 21% said mental health disclosure could affect career growth or be dismissed as excuses.
Most employees avoid transparency when taking leave for mental health reasons. Around 45% mark it as general sick leave, while only 28% feel comfortable revealing the true reason. Nearly 20% prefer to skip leave, and 9% give false excuses.
Work-life imbalance tops stress factors at 39%, followed by micromanaging bosses (30%), lack of recognition (22%), and fear of mistakes (10%). Professionals call for flexible work options (60%), stress workshops (22%), paid mental health days (10%), and managerial training (9%). Openness varies across sectors, with BFSI showing the most transparency.
