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It's possible for managers to listen to employees' problems without taking responsibility for solving them, but many instead opt for EAP referrals, with some unwanted consequences.

According to Rose Zaffino, director of clinical services at LifeWorks, it's curious that, despite figures that suggest half Australia's population feels in need of mental health support, stigma remains: nearly two in five Australians fear that disclosing a mental health issue would be detrimental to their position in the workplace.

The problem is affecting employees and managers alike. As HR Daily recently reported, LifeWorks' latest mental health index shows managers' mental health score is 12.9 points below the pre-pandemic baseline, compared to 11.3 points below for non-managers. Zaffino adds that 58% of managers feel affected by mental health issues, but are reluctant to disclose them.

It's understandable, then, that some managers, when confronted by an employee who says they're not coping, immediately palm them off to the EAP. The problem is that this reinforces the stigma around mental health, and the impression it's a no-go topic of conversation...