Wellbeing in the workplace

A tale of two halves regarding workplace wellbeing, with a HR leader survey showing workplace patterns comfortably stabilising, alongside concerning trends of increasing anxiety leading in some cases to substance abuse.

TACKLING INTENSE ANXIETY

Results of the Laya Healthcare Workplace Wellbeing Index shows that overall, while good mental health and wellbeing is rising in employees, so too is very poor mental health, which has seen an incremental increase from 5% to 8%. Almost 20% of women and 12% of men report feeling anxious all the time.

Financial concerns including the rising cost of living continues to be a main driver of anxiety for 63% of those suffering from anxiety (71% in 2022). Worryingly, the percentage of employees struggling with substance abuse has doubled.

ACCEPTANCE

On a positive note, the stigma around mental health is being reduced. More businesses are now offering mental wellbeing services to employees, with 70% feeling supported by their employer to take time to look after their mental health.

That feeling of support is evidenced from the top, with leaders actively engaging and participating in supports on offer (61%) and promoting a culture of wellbeing support (65%) with employees feeling encouraged by leadership to take care of their health and wellbeing (62%) – a significant increase in all measures year on year.

UNLOCKING WELLBEING FOR WOMEN

Women’s health and wellbeing in the workplace has improved. Females placed significant value on flexibility in the workplace with 78% welcoming the option of wellbeing days at work, 37% explicitly saying that work is damaging their mental health, compared to 29% of men.

Two in three women also claimed to have worked when they should have been off sick and were less likely to take a sick day for mental health reasons (37% vs 41%) despite feeling more anxious than their male counterparts.

HYBRID MODEL

This year, there has been a shift in hybrid working and twice as many companies are now mandating in office days. Two days working from home is the new normal for most, compared to three days last year.

IMPROVEMEN IN JOB SATISFACTION

Overall, job satisfaction is on the rise for employees with three in ten experiencing higher satisfaction than the year prior. This is in part driven by a greater work life balance and flexibility in the workplace.