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Health & Wellness

Telus Survey Puts Exhaustion and Mental Health Stigma in Focus at Work

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What Readers Should Know

A TELUS Health survey found widespread working while unwell and concern about disclosing mental health issues. The findings highlight financial pressures, exhaustion and gaps in workplace support.

Key Takeaways

  • The survey included 2,000 respondents.
  • Eighty-two percent reported working while unwell weekly.
  • Forty-eight percent often experienced end-of-day exhaustion.
  • Seventy-seven percent feared career consequences from disclosure.
  • Productivity estimates include reduced effectiveness, not only absence.

The Philippine findings show why attendance alone does not explain employee wellbeing or productivity.

Eighty-two percent of Philippine respondents reported working while mentally or physically unwell at least one day a week, according to the TELUS Mental Health Index.

The survey also found that 55 percent said their mental health negatively affected productivity, while 48 percent often ended the workday feeling mentally or physically exhausted.

The findings come from an online survey of 2,000 people living in the Philippines who were employed or had worked within the preceding six months. Responses were collected from July 24 to August 5, 2026.

TELUS Health estimated that respondents reporting exhaustion lost the equivalent of 49.5 productive working days annually, compared with 29.7 days among those who did not report exhaustion. These estimates combine absence and reduced effectiveness while working; they do not represent sick leave alone.

Financial strain was another recurring concern. Half of respondents identified personal finances as their main personal stressor, and 54 percent said they lacked emergency savings for basic needs.

Seeking support also carried perceived risks. Seventy-seven percent worried their career options would be limited if their workplace knew about a mental health issue. Cost was a barrier to support for 52 percent.

The findings point to gaps between having a workplace program and helping employees use it. Forty-two percent said their manager had not communicated the availability of health and wellbeing programs. Only 60 percent of managers said they would know what to do if they suspected an employee was struggling.

TELUS Health called for confidential, accessible support, clearer communication and manager training, alongside attention to workload and work-life balance.

For employers, the report’s central message is practical: showing up does not always mean someone is well enough to work effectively. Support needs to address both access to care and the conditions employees face each day.

Reader Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

When was the survey conducted?

July 24–August 5, 2026.

Who participated?

Philippine residents currently employed or employed within the preceding six months.

What is presenteeism?

Reduced productivity while working unwell.

Does the 49.5-day estimate mean sick leave?

No. It combines absence and reduced effectiveness while working.

What support does TELUS Health recommend?

Confidential services, manager training, clear communication and attention to workplace pressures.

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