LinkedIn Posts on Mental Health Raise Concerns Among Hiring Managers

A recent study conducted by researchers at North Carolina State University has shed light on the potential repercussions of discussing mental health issues on social media, particularly LinkedIn. Despite the growing importance of mental health in the workplace, the study suggests that sharing personal experiences with depression and anxiety on professional networking platforms may not be well-received by hiring managers.

The study, motivated by the increased prevalence of social media posts addressing mental health challenges, aimed to gauge how such disclosures might impact hiring managers’ perceptions of job candidates. The results indicated that regardless of the applicant’s age or gender, sharing mental health-related posts influenced hiring managers’ impressions of the candidate’s emotional stability and conscientiousness.

Although the posts did not significantly affect hiring managers’ expectations regarding the candidate’s future job performance, the study suggests that revealing personal information about mental health on LinkedIn could have adverse effects on the initial impression made on potential employers.

The research involved 405 hiring professionals who were presented with different scenarios involving job candidates. Approximately 25% of the participants viewed a LinkedIn profile with no mention of mental health. Another 25% were shown the same profile but with a post referencing the candidate’s experiences with anxiety and depression. The remaining participants were presented with variations, including an audio interview with the candidate.

Jenna McChesney, the first author of the study, commented on the findings, stating, “We found that study participants who saw the LinkedIn post about mental health challenges viewed the job candidate as being less emotionally stable and less conscientious.”

While the study highlights potential concerns among hiring managers, it does not necessarily suggest that individuals should refrain from discussing mental health issues on LinkedIn. The researchers emphasize the importance of reducing the stigma associated with mental health. However, they caution individuals to be aware that sharing such personal struggles on a public platform could influence future employers’ perceptions of them.

Fast Company reached out to LinkedIn for comment on the role of its platform in shaping the conversation around mental health but had not received a response at the time of the report.

In conclusion, the study underscores the delicate balance individuals may need to strike when discussing mental health on professional networking sites like LinkedIn, taking into consideration potential consequences for their job prospects.