October Health – 2025 Report

Productivity in Canada

The leading causes of productivity stress in Canada, based on trends and research, are: 1. **Workload Pressure**: Unrealistic job demands and excessive workloads overwhelm employees, causing chronic stress. 2. **Work-Life Imbalance**: The difficulty in maintaining boundaries between professional and personal life leads to burnout. 3. **Job Insecurity**: Economic fluctuations and fears of downsizing or layoffs create a sense of uncertainty among workers. 4. **Poor Leadership & Management Practices**: Ineffective communication, lack of support, and unclear expectations from management can contribute to workplace stress. 5. **Lack of Access to Mental Health Resources**: Despite growing awareness, access to effective mental health support at work is still limited for many Canadians. Companies can consider services like October to provide accessible digital resources and group sessions addressing workplace stress.

Productivity Prevalence
28.51%
Affected people
15,680,500

Impact on the people of Canada

Effects of High Productivity Stress on Health and Personal Lives

Physical Health

  1. Increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (e.g., hypertension, heart attacks).
  2. Weakened immune system, making individuals more prone to illnesses.
  3. Persistent fatigue and exhaustion.
  4. Sleep disorders, such as insomnia.
  5. Muscle tension and chronic pain (e.g., headaches or back pain).

Mental Health

  1. Higher likelihood of anxiety and feelings of overwhelm.
  2. Increased risk of depression or burnout.
  3. Difficulty concentrating and making decisions.
  4. Development of unhealthy coping mechanisms (e.g., substance misuse or overeating).

Personal Life

  1. Strained relationships with family and friends due to irritability or lack of time.
  2. Reduced quality time with loved ones.
  3. Decreased participation in hobbies or leisure activities.
  4. Potential feelings of guilt or inadequacy for not balancing responsibilities effectively.

Suggestions:

  • Encourage open discussions about workload and stress management in the workplace.
  • Promote self-care practices like physical exercise, mindfulness, and setting boundaries.
  • Employers can explore solutions like October's mental health services to offer their teams support through assessments, group sessions, and access to mental health experts.

Impact on the Canada Economy

Effects of High Productivity Stress on an Economy

  1. Increased Rates of Burnout
    Prolonged stress leads to burnout among employees, causing reduced efficiency and higher absenteeism, negatively impacting economic output.

  2. High Employee Turnover
    Stressful workplaces result in higher turnover rates, meaning companies face increased costs for recruitment, training, and onboarding, which can weaken overall economic productivity.

  3. Reduced Innovation
    Stress dampens creativity and problem-solving abilities among workers, limiting innovation and slowing economic advancement.

  4. Healthcare Costs
    Chronic stress contributes to mental and physical health issues, increasing healthcare costs for both individuals and systems (e.g., Canada's public healthcare).

  5. Decreased Consumer Spending
    Financial strain due to missed work or higher medical expenses leads to reduced disposable income, ultimately lowering consumer spending and stunting economic growth.

  6. Inequality and Workforce Gaps
    Productivity stress can disproportionately affect certain industries or worker groups, exacerbating inequalities and creating skills shortages.

To mitigate these effects, businesses can invest in employee mental health support—considering tools like October to reduce workplace stress and promote well-being, which helps sustain overall economic stability.

What can government do to assist?

Strategies for a Country to Lower Productivity Stress

  1. Promote Work-Life Balance

    • Encourage policies such as flexible work hours and remote work options.
    • Mandate minimum vacation entitlements and enforce them.
    • Limit overtime hours to avoid burnout.
  2. Address Financial Stressors

    • Ensure fair wages to reduce financial pressure on employees.
    • Provide subsidies or tax benefits for child care and elder care.
  3. Invest in Mental Health Infrastructure

    • Offer accessible, affordable mental health services for employees.
    • Initiate public awareness campaigns to reduce stigma around seeking support.
    • Partner with organizations like Panda to support workplace mental health programs.
  4. Legislation for Psychological Safety

    • Enforce anti-harassment and anti-bullying policies in the workplace.
    • Mandate stress audits and mental health assessments for organizations.
  5. Support Skill Development

    • Provide grants and promote upskilling programs to help relieve fear of obsolescence.
    • Incentivize employers to invest in continuous employee growth.
  6. Normalize Mental Health in Workplaces

    • Incorporate mental health education into organizational policies.
    • Provide funding for digital mental health platforms like Panda to host workplace group therapy and share mental health resources.
  7. Encourage Healthy Workplace Cultures

    • Create recognition programs for employee achievements to reduce performance-related stress.
    • Train managers to foster supportive and empathetic team environments.
  8. Promote Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

    • Incentivize businesses to integrate stress reduction and wellness activities into their CSR initiatives.
    • Publicly recognize companies leading mental health support practices.

These systemic measures can create sustainable solutions to reduce productivity stress on a national scale.

What can businesses do to assist their employees?

 Ways Companies Can Lower Productivity Stress

1. **Encourage Open Communication**  
   Foster an environment where employees feel comfortable discussing workload concerns. Promote transparency and regularly check in with staff.

2. **Provide Flexible Work Options**  
   Allow remote work, flexible hours, or hybrid models to accommodate individual needs and reduce time-related stress.

3. **Promote Work-Life Balance**  
   Encourage employees to take breaks, use vacation time, and set clear boundaries between work and personal life.

4. **Offer Mental Health Resources**  
   Provide access to mental health tools like October's group sessions, assessments, and content to help employees manage stress effectively.

5. **Set Realistic Expectations**  
   Avoid overloading employees with unrealistic deadlines or excessive goals, and ensure workload distribution is fair.

6. **Recognize and Reward Efforts**  
   Regularly acknowledge accomplishments to boost morale and motivate employees, reducing stress caused by feeling undervalued.

7. **Engage in Stress Management Training**  
   Host workshops or sessions on mindfulness, time management, and coping strategies for workplace stress.

8. **Create a Supportive Culture**  
   Encourage collaboration and team building to reduce isolation and foster a sense of community, reducing stress from competition or conflict.

9. **Optimize Workflows**  
   Use technology or streamline processes to eliminate unnecessary workload and inefficiencies.

10. **Leadership Role-Modeling**  
   Leaders should model healthy work practices, such as not sending late-night emails, to set an example for employees.

By implementing the above strategies, companies can create a healthier and less stressful work environment.