‘Listen to your people,’ says MISCO CEO Joanne Bondin

"Listen to your people. Conduct well-being assessments, engage with employees, and create a safe space where people feel valued and supported.

"When employees thrive, organisations thrive."

Addressing local employers, MISCO CEO Joanne Bondin was commenting on new data from a survey the market research firm conducted with Malta Employers.

The new 2025 report reveals that nearly 9 out of 10 employees (88 per cent) in Malta have experienced poor mental wellness due to work at some point in their careers – a notable rise from 77 per cent in 2023.

Although many employees continue to struggle with stress and emotional strain, the report also highlights encouraging signs of progress in overall well-being.

The study surveyed 479 employed individuals across a diverse range of sectors.

Here are the key findings from the survey:

Overall Mental Wellbeing

• 70 per cent currently feel positive about their mental well-being (up from 62 per cent in 2024)
• Mental wellness has rebounded to pre-pandemic levels for many

Stress and Burnout

• 57 per cent find their job often stressful (up from 50 per cent in 2024)
• 9 per cent feel constantly stressed
• Major stressors included heavy workload (43 per cent), relentless pressure (42 per cent) and tight deadlines (41 per cent)

Working Hours and Recovery

• 57 per cent work over 40 hours a week
• 61 per cent do not make time to unwind due to feeling like “they cannot afford to, or because doing so is not culturally encouraged”

Emotional Indicators (Compared to 2024)

Positive symptoms
o Confidence: 83 per cent (improved)
o Energy levels: 80 per cent (improved)
o Mood: 78 per cent (improved)
o Sense of belonging: 74 per cent (modest gain)
o Optimism: 67 per cent (modest gain)

Negative symptoms
o Excessive worry or anxiety: 34 per cent
o Social withdrawal: 28 per cent
o No emotional issues reported: 32 per cent (up 5 points from last year)

Disclosure and Workplace Culture

• 66 per cent have never disclosed mental health struggles at work
• 56 per cent now say they would feel comfortable doing so
• 84 per cent of those who opened up reported no negative consequences (up from 71 per cent in 2024)

Support and Initiatives

• 63 per cent believe their employer takes mental well-being seriously
• 54 per cent report access to structured support like flexible working hours, therapy and counselling services and healthy lifestyle programs

Hybrid Work Preferences

• 59 per cent have access to remote work
• Most preferred setup for hybrid workers is 3 days in office, 2 days remote

This year’s findings present a largely positive outlook. Employees are demonstrating greater emotional resilience, and employers are increasingly responding with initiatives that prioritise well-being. Ms Bondin highlighted this as a sign of meaningful progress when compared to previous years.

“The data also makes it clear that workplace stress remains pervasive, and that emotional and psychological wellness still needs to be prioritised at the strategic level," she emphasised.

She also noted that burnout and long working hours are making it increasingly difficult for employees to disconnect, which is having a notable impact on both their emotional and physical health.

Ms Bondin also pointed to a shifting workplace culture. She observed that while openness around mental health has improved, fear and stigma have yet to be fully addressed.

She underscored the importance of normalising conversations about mental wellness in the same way physical health is routinely discussed, noting that doing so fosters trust, strong leadership, and consistent communication.

“There is a clear shift happening,” she said. “Employers are increasingly recognising that mental wellness is not an optional extra but a fundamental component of sustainable business.”