Most of us have heard the adage “comparison is the thief of joy”. And now, more than ever, it seems to be true! This unhealthy act seems to be taking a further sinister turn, with more than half of employed British workers (51%) claiming their mental health is suffering due to comparing themselves unfavourably with co-workers(AXA, Mind Health Report, 2023).

Some of the frequent areas in which they are most likely to measure themselves against their co-workers include job performance, work ethics and productivity levels.

Even areas such as work-life balance and earnings are used as comparisons. It is worrisome that 29% feel that comparison is becoming “increasingly rife” at the workplace, with the average worker contemplating about it around three times a day; this adds up to a phenomenal 15 times in a standard working week!

Inadvertently, this leads to people feeling frustrated and unsuccessful, which can take a toll on their mental health. Recently, AXA, a popular Insurance company in the United Kingdom had reported an increase in mental health issues (AXA, Mind Health Report, 2023), reporting that, “In the UK, we are seeing a growing number of people battling with poor mind health; as people spend a large proportion of their lives working, a supportive workplace environment is even more crucial in addressing this situation.

The AXA Mind Health Report also states, “Research shows that workplace habits are a significant factor, like people comparing themselves unfavourably with their colleagues.”

In professions such as the medical and teaching lines, where people are normally ranked on their abilities, career progression can be very competitive. Although this factor can be used to motivate and inspire people, the downside is that it can also lead to a negative mindset and damage to mental health.

Another factor giving rise to increasing negative comparisons, are social media apps such as LinkedIn and Instagram and other platforms, too. They allow for instantaneous comparisons, even though the actual truth behind what is being published may not be known. Furthermore, people are inclined to compare themselves with people they have never met before or worked with!

Added to this point, toxic work environment and feelings of worthlessness are some of the other reasons employees consider leaving their jobs. And as a result of their negative work environment, three-quarters of the population are experiencing problems at home, such as trouble sleeping, stress, lack of confidence and loss of interest.

The AXA report goes on to state that more than half of the UK employees are currently not in a positive state of mental wellbeing. An increasing number of people are suffering from some form of mental health condition (37% in 2023, up from 33% in 2022) – with just 18% claiming to be flourishing.

So what can be done to help people feel better about themselves and feel satisfied in their jobs?

When this problem was deliberated upon, the main factors identified that needed to be addressed were: firstly, awareness of the issues that employees are currently facing; secondly, creating an open dialogue amongst staff and management.

Employers need to recognise that the environment they create for people to work in is important. It needs to be a workplace that fosters positive mind health by providing mental health support and strong employee networks.

This helps prevent people from struggling with their mental health, enables them to recognise when they need support, and provides them with tools to enable them to move towards a more positive state of mind.

Although the AXA study was undertaken in the UK, its findings can be just as relevant to the Malaysian workforce. The Employment Hero Employee Wellness Report 2022, found that 50% of employees are uncomfortable discussing mental health issues in the workplace. 49% of employees are concerned that reporting mental health issues would lead to repercussions in the workplace and negative consequences to their employability.

Malaysia’s Human Resources Department has even called for an urgent address of mental health in the workplace, worried by the impact it could have on suicide rates. Alarmingly, they discovered that in 2021 a total of 1,142 suicides were recorded, up ….% from previous years.

The Malaysian Employers’ Federation (MEF) President Datuk Dr Syed Hussain Syed Husman urged for more awareness and help for employees, “There is therefore an urgent need for greater collaboration between the broad landscape of the private-sector/public-sector employees to address mental health issues at the workplace.”

Mental Health is something we are all exposed to, and concerns every one of us. As employees and employers, we need to educate those around us, to help break down barriers, open spaces for discussion, and gain self esteem in our own abilities, rather than the false promises of social media.