60% Of Employees Conceal Mental Health Issues At Work: Report

40 per cent of respondents stressed that effective leadership development—merging AI insights with personalised mentorship—will be crucial for enhancing retention strategies

60 per cent of employees feel unsafe discussing their mental health concerns at work, according to a report by Keka, an Indian HR tech provider. The findings in "The New Age of Work-Trends, Technology & Talent" shed light on the growing challenges within employee well-being programs across organisations. 

The report stressed that emotional intelligence is essential for effective HR practices. About 29 per cent of HR practitioners identified emotional intelligence and empathy as the top skills needed by 2030, highlighting the necessity for HR leaders to balance technological advancements with meaningful employee connections. 

Additionally, 40 per cent of respondents stressed that effective leadership development—merging AI insights with personalised mentorship—will be crucial for enhancing retention strategies. While retention rates are expected to decline, this trend may be partly due to insufficient employee well-being programs; only 15 per cent of employees feel comfortable discussing their mental health in the workplace.

The report also examined the impact of AI, predicting that 41 per cent of HR recruitment roles could be automated by 2030. Interestingly, 45 per cent of respondents believe that as AI tools advance, they will enhance HR capabilities rather than replace them. With technology adoption at the forefront, one in three HR professionals noted that technological integration within companies will influence hiring processes.

Furthermore, Keka's report highlights a growing focus on data-driven HR strategies, with 32 per cent of business leaders asserting that the effective use of HR metrics is vital for future operations. However, one in five HR leaders face challenges aligning these metrics with business objectives.

A significant takeaway from the report is the increasing priority of managing diverse and multigenerational workforces. 37 per cent of respondents indicated that bridging generational gaps and fostering an inclusive culture are essential for maximising employee performance, particularly in India.

Speaking on the report’s findings, Keka’s CEO, Vijay Yalamanchili, remarked, “The future of HR lies at the intersection of technology and human touch. While AI will automate many traditional HR tasks, our report shows that HR leaders must evolve into strategic business partners, focusing on emotional intelligence and technological proficiency. With our 2024 report, Keka aims to empower HR leaders by becoming more resilient and updated on future trends. It contains insights and advice on upskilling and embracing AI responsibly, which is essential for organisations to stay competitive.”

The report is based on insights from 8,725 HR professionals and C-suite executives across multiple countries, including India, the US, Germany, the UK, and the UAE.