Recent research highlights a significant gap between how UK managers view their own performance and how their employees perceive them, revealing critical challenges in leadership and mental health support. According to a survey conducted by Unmind, a leading provider of workplace mental health solutions, over two-thirds (67%) of UK employees have left or considered leaving their job due to poor management. This statistic underscores the urgent need for organisations to invest in comprehensive management training to address the growing disconnect between managers and their teams.
The research, which polled 3,005 office workers, including 1,500 managers and 1,505 employees, shines a light on the stark contrast between how managers and employees experience workplace stress and mental health at work support. A staggering 46% of employees reported feeling uncomfortable discussing mental health with their manager, while a quarter of respondents believed that talking about mental health could harm their chances of career progression. Even more troubling, 32% admitted they would lie and cite a physical issue if they needed to take time off for mental health reasons.
Despite 83% of managers stating they had undergone formal people leadership training, only 63% of employees felt the same about their direct superiors. This discrepancy suggests a lack of confidence in managerial competence from the perspective of those being managed. Furthermore, 40% of UK workers said they did not believe their manager had the right skills to perform their role effectively, and over half (57%) thought managers would benefit from further education and training.
The Competency Gap: A Tale of Two Perspectives
The survey revealed a striking divergence in the skills that managers believe they need versus the attributes their employees deem most important. Managers highlighted hard skills such as delegation (29%), providing feedback (26%), and organisation (25%) as areas for improvement. However, employees expressed a need for their managers to focus on soft skills, particularly listening (32%) and motivating the team (30%).
Listening emerged as a major point of concern, with 32% of employees rating it as the top skill their managers lacked. In contrast, only 18% of managers considered listening to be their weakest attribute, indicating a significant disconnect in understanding what constitutes effective leadership. Dr. Nick Taylor, CEO and co-founder of Unmind, commented: “Many managers find themselves in leadership roles without any formal training – they’re essentially accidental bosses. Our research highlights the profound impact managers can have on employees’ mental health, making it essential for organisations to address this managerial skills gap.”
Mental Health: A Taboo Topic in the Workplace
The survey results reveal a pervasive reluctance among UK employees to discuss mental health issues with their managers. Workers worry about revealing mental health struggles. While 71% of managers reported feeling comfortable having conversations about mental health, only 54% of employees shared that sentiment. A significant proportion of workers—25%—felt uncomfortable discussing their mental health at work, and a third of respondents (32%) would lie about their mental health needs due to fears about their job security.
This discomfort extends beyond individual managers to organisational culture. A concerning 35% of employees reported that their company did not support their mental health, further exacerbating feelings of isolation and burnout. Without proper support, many employees turn to “quiet quitting” or other forms of disengagement such as long term sickness, which ultimately hampers productivity and retention.
The Path Forward: Closing the Skills Gap
The consensus is clear: more management training is necessary. Approximately 42% of all survey participants agreed that investing in additional skills training would improve managerial effectiveness, particularly around handling employee absences and addressing stress and mental health concerns. This sentiment is echoed by 74% of managers who believe that people management training would help them better support their teams.
Unmind’s own research underscores the importance of such training, showing that just over an hour of digital mental health training led to measurable improvements in managers’ confidence, knowledge, and proactivity regarding mental health issues. As Dr. Taylor aptly put it, “With the right training, managers can create supportive work environments where mental health and wellbeing are championed, allowing employees to thrive.”
The data serves as a wake-up call for UK businesses. Not only do companies need to ensure their managers are equipped with the right skills, but they must also foster a workplace culture where discussing mental health is not taboo. The consequences of inaction are clear: disengaged employees, decreased productivity, and higher turnover rates.
The Workers Union says…
“Addressing the skills gap in management, especially regarding mental health, is not only a strategic priority but a moral imperative. Companies that invest in comprehensive leadership training will see improvements in employee wellbeing, engagement, and ultimately, their bottom line.”
