Employee wellbeing slump over lockdown

Blow over home working TEN

THE wellbeing of workers has fallen sharply since lockdown was introduced, a study has claimed.

Recruitment company Hays, which surveyed 655 professionals throughout Northern Ireland at the start of May, found only a third rated their wellbeing as positive, a significant drop from twothirds before restrictions were enforced.

Nearly a quarter said a lack of social interaction, as a result of many people working from home, was having the biggest impact on their mental health.

Worringly, half said they had received no help around wellbeing from their employer. Hays managing director John Moore said firms need to step up.

He added: “The wellbeing of staff needs to be a top priority for all organisations as the impact of the virus is felt on our personal and professional lives.

“Everybody will be having different experiences, so it’s important to maintain frequent updates and be as transparent as possible as our way of working continues to change.” One positive to come out of lockdown is staff are placing more importance on worklife balance, which may impact the way firms operate in the future.

When asked what they would like their manager to focus on when it came to wellbeing, 45% said better communication, 20% wanted better

A GROUP has been given a boost to help them continue their work providing scrubs, masks and gowns for frontline and community use. Phoenix Natural Gas has provided a donation to the East Down Scrubs NI volunteers, above, who for the last 10 weeks access to support services and 17% called for more training. Mr Moore said firms need to focus on providing better support to staff.

He added: “Some of the steps managers can take include regular video updates with their teams, being flexible with schedules and expectations and offering wellbeing training.

“We can’t replicate the old ways of office life but we can make sure better support systems are in place.”

Number of weeks that voluntary group have been making PPE

have been making face coverings and PPE for NHS and care home staff.

They are now turning their efforts to help support the wider community by providing face coverings for community workers plus elderly and vulnerable local residents.

STUDY John Moore