Power and internet outages during natural disasters made it difficult for 14% of Philippine workers surveyed to work remotely, according to the TELUS Mental Health Index.
The report from TELUS Health, a global digital health and workforce wellbeing company, also found that 24% lost income when disasters stopped them from working. About 55% said their mental health affected how well they worked.
“For many workers in the Philippines, daily financial survival and family obligations leave little room for long-term safety nets,” said Paula Allen, Global Leader of Research and Insights, TELUS Health. “When 54% of employees lack basic emergency savings, any unforeseen expense such as a health emergency, family needs, or disaster-related work stoppages can turn into a mental health crisis.”
Allen added that the ongoing anxiety this creates directly reduces workforce productivity. Employee financial wellbeing, especially savings, is deeply interconnected with workplace mental health across the Philippine labor market.
Money was the main source of personal stress for half of those surveyed. Workers without emergency savings had a mental health score of 55.5 out of 100, compared with 69.0 among those with savings. Higher scores mean better mental health.
Nearly half, or 48%, often ended the workday mentally or physically exhausted. About 82% worked despite feeling unwell at least once a week.
The report estimated that workers who often felt exhausted lost the equivalent of 49.5 productive working days a year, compared with 29.7 days among those who did not. These estimates cover both time off and time spent working less effectively while on the job. They are based on a 240-day working year.
Cost was a barrier to mental health support for 52% of workers. Another 32% did not know what kind of care they needed, while 29% did not know where to seek help.
Fear of harming their careers was another cause of concern. Some 77% worried about having fewer career opportunities if their workplace learned they had a mental health issue.
“Workplace culture and cultural stigma are barriers to workforce wellbeing in the Philippines,” said Jamie MacLennan, region head, Asia-Pacific, TELUS Health. “More than three-quarters of employees fear their career progression will be impacted by disclosing mental health challenges, and this silent suffering is costing companies in lost productivity.”
MacLennan noted that people leaders don’t feel equipped to handle wellbeing conversations, so leaders have an urgent responsibility to support managers with proper training to address workplace stigma and ensure accessible, judgment-free support systems for every employee.
Only 60% of managers said they would know what to do if they thought an employee was struggling with a mental health issue. About 42% of workers said their manager had not told them about available health and wellbeing programs.
The report urged employers to make Employee Assistance Programs easier to use, explain how personal information is protected, and train managers to help workers find support. It also called for action on heavy workloads, work-life balance, and inadequate resources.
The online survey gathered responses from 2,000 Philippine residents July 24-Aug. 5, 2026. Participants were working at the time or had been employed within the previous six months.