61pc
of jobseekers willing to disclose mental health days; 53pc seek clear
boundaries between work and personal time
THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
NEW
DELHI, OCTOBER 12, 2026
Poor work-life balance, inadequate managerial
support and mounting workloads are emerging as major factors affecting mental
well-being at work, according to a Naukri.com survey of nearly 10,000
jobseekers across eight cities and 83 industries.
The findings point to
a growing willingness among jobseekers to acknowledge mental health concerns at
work, even as fears of career setbacks and a lack of understanding continue to
pose barriers to open conversations.
The survey found that
42 per cent of respondents identified poor work-life balance as the biggest
workplace factor affecting their mental health. A lack of managerial support
was cited by 27 per cent, while 20 per cent pointed to heavy workloads and
deadlines, underlining the importance of workplace culture and management
practices in shaping employees’ well-being.
More than
three-fifths of respondents (61 per cent) said they would openly disclose
taking a mental health day at work, indicating a growing acceptance of mental
well-being as a legitimate aspect of the employee experience.
However,
apprehensions about the professional consequences of speaking up remain
significant. About 33 per cent of jobseekers said their biggest concern was
losing out on career opportunities if they disclosed mental health challenges
at work. Another 32 per cent feared that nobody would care, while 19% were
concerned about being perceived as weak. The remaining 16 per cent worried that
their personal circumstances could become the subject of office gossip.
The findings suggest
that while openness towards mental health may be increasing, organisations
still face the challenge of creating environments in which employees feel safe
discussing their concerns without fearing stigma or professional disadvantage.
When asked what
employers could do to improve mental well-being, respondents placed the
greatest emphasis on establishing clear boundaries between work and personal
time. As many as 53 per cent selected this measure, making it the most
preferred intervention in the survey.
Training managers to
recognise signs of burnout was the next most favoured measure, cited by 22 per
cent of respondents. Dedicated mental health leave was preferred by 13 per cent,
while 12% called for greater access to counselling services.
The preference for
clearer after-work boundaries highlights the role of everyday workplace
practices in supporting mental health. Expectations around availability beyond
working hours, workload management and the ability to disconnect from
professional responsibilities can influence how employees experience their
working lives.
Managerial support
also emerged as a significant concern, with more than one-fourth of respondents
identifying its absence as the leading factor affecting their mental
well-being. The findings point to the importance of equipping managers to
recognise distress and respond to employees’ needs.
The survey’s results
underline a distinction between employees being willing to talk about mental
health and their confidence that such conversations will be handled
constructively. Although a majority of respondents said they would disclose
taking a mental health day, concerns about career progression, indifference and
workplace stigma remain.
For employers, the
findings indicate that supporting mental well-being may require more than
standalone wellness initiatives. Clear expectations around working hours,
managers trained to identify burnout, and access to appropriate support could
help foster workplaces in which employees feel able to prioritise their health
without compromising their professional prospects.
