Today's Article

"It just 1permeates our entire life."

And that can 2take a toll, especially under 3tough conditions.

"Working conditions can have a 4tremendous 5impact on our 6mental health."

A new report out Tuesday from the CDC reveals, in 2021 about 1 in every 37 7working adults, aged 18 to 64, experienced serious 8psychological distress 9severe enough to require 10treatment. The rates 11significantly higher for those who reported they had to work when 12physically ill, as well as for those who did not have access to 13paid sick leave. 14Likewise, people with late-night or rotating 15shifts, 16inflexibleschedules, and 17inconsistent pay also reported poor mental health.

"People need to 18have a sense of agency in their lives."

Dr. Dennis Stolle of the American Psychological Association says a key reason behind the distress is a need for both 19predictability and 20flexibility.

"... where people have the ability to both be able to 21count on 22fundamental things like they, they're gonna be able to pay their bills with their next 23paycheck."

His advice for employers: don't choose between 24economic productivity and caring for employees, the two 25go hand-in-hand.

"A sense of 26psychological safety in a 27workplace increases productivity, increases innovation, increases retention and they have a positive impact on their economic bottom line."