Editor's Note: This story originally appeared on Monster.
The CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has long warned that stressful work environments contribute to poor health outcomes. Today, a growing number of American workers are sounding the alarm on workplace mental health, and the data shows the problem is getting worse.
According to Monster’s 2025 Mental Health in the Workplace survey of more than 1,100 U.S. workers, employees are increasingly reporting toxic environments, poor well-being, and little faith that their employers are taking action to help.
In fact, 80% of workers now say they work in a toxic environment, up from 67% in 2024. Even more troubling, 93% say their employer isn’t doing enough to support their mental health, a sharp increase from 78% last year.
Workers are also reaching a breaking point: more than half (57%) say they would rather quit than stay in a toxic workplace.
Monster’s findings underscore the growing urgency for companies to treat mental wellness as a workplace priority, not an afterthought. The American Psychological Association similarly finds that workplace mental health is one of the top issues driving employee turnover.
Mental Wellness at Work
71% of workers describe their mental health at work as poor (40%) or fair (31%). Only 29% call it good (20%) or great (9%).
Survey respondents cite the following as the top causes of poor mental health at work:
- 59% — Toxic work culture
- 54% — A bad manager
- 47% — Lack of growth opportunities
- 47% — Increased workload
- 33% — Staffing shortages
Among those with poor or fair mental health, 51% say their well-being would improve if employers removed toxic employees.
Signs of Support
For workers who do feel supported by their employer:
- 50% say they’re allowed time off for doctor/therapy appointments.
- 29% point to generous PTO policies.
- 23% cite specific mental health policies.
Worker Priorities
- 63% would prioritize their mental well-being over having a “brag-worthy” job.
- 43% would pass on a promotion, and 33% would even forgo a raise to protect their health.
Instead of staying in a toxic workplace, workers say they would:
- Quit their job (57%)
- Be laid off (42%)
- Take a salary cut (29%)
- Work weekends (23%)
- Give up vacation days for a year (14%)
Methodology
The findings in this report are based on a survey conducted by Monster in April 2025 among 1,100+ U.S. workers. Respondents were employed either full-time or part-time at the time of the survey.
Participants answered a mix of yes/no, single-selection, and multiple-choice questions about workplace culture, employer support, mental health, and job priorities. The sample included workers across a range of industries, age groups, genders, and education levels to reflect the diversity of the U.S. workforce.
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