Study Reveals: Your Manager Impacts Your Mental Health as Much as Your Spouse

In today's fast-paced work environment, the role of a manager extends far beyond overseeing tasks and driving results. According to research by the Workforce Institute at UKG, managers have a profound impact on employees' mental health—often more significant than that of doctors, therapists, or even spouses and partners.

The Manager's Influence: A Surprising Comparison

Recent studies reveal that 60% of employees worldwide cite their job as the biggest factor influencing their mental health. More strikingly, managers impact employees' mental health as much as their spouses do, with both having a 69% influence. This is even higher than the influence of doctors (51%) and therapists (41%). These statistics highlight the essential role managers play in either mitigating or exacerbating workplace stress and mental health issues.

Prioritising Mental Health Over Paychecks

An overwhelming 81% of employees globally prioritise good mental health over a high-paying job. Additionally, 64% would take a pay cut for a role that better supports their mental well-being. This trend signals a shift in workforce values, where mental health support is becoming a crucial factor in job satisfaction and retention.

The Challenge of Being a Middle Manager

Middle managers face unique challenges that make their role particularly demanding. They are responsible for driving results, implementing new policies, and inspiring their teams—all while often being the first line of defence for struggling employees. Despite these responsibilities, those earning between $100K and $200K report the highest levels of unhappiness at work. This dissatisfaction is reflected in the fact that around half of managers wish they had been warned against taking their current job (57%), and nearly half (46%) are likely to quit within the next 12 months due to excessive work-related stress.

The Need for Emotional Intelligence in Leadership

To address these challenges, companies need to prioritise building the emotional intelligence of their leaders at all levels. Competencies such as stress management, impulse control, and empathy are crucial for creating supportive environments where employees can thrive. These skills are more important than technical abilities in cultivating great managers who can effectively support their teams' mental health.

At Relate Institute, we recognise the critical need for emotional intelligence training in leadership development. We help organisations develop leaders who can positively influence their employees' mental health and overall job satisfaction.

mployees is not just beneficial—it's essential for sustainable success.

For more information on how we can help your organisation develop emotionally intelligent leaders, contact us.