Nearly two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, American workers are more stressed than ever, according to a recent survey.
The survey, conducted by “Conference Board,” found nearly 60% of workers say their mental health has degraded since the start of the pandemic, and one of the main reasons is workload.
Roughly half of those surveyed say those pressures are taking a bigger toll on mental health than the virus itself.
Women are suffering from work-related pressure at a rate nearly two times their male co-workers because of combined stressors of work and home life.
Right now, three of every four workers, likely in your own office, say stress and burnout are the biggest hurdle to well-being, which is up double digits from just six months ago!
So, what can employers do to ease this burden?
The survey offers some insights:
- Offer programs that support employee well-being, such as a caregiver benefit or employee assistance program (EAP)
- Offer on-line mental health resources
- Formalize policies to support work-life balance
- Offer programs that promote well-being education
In general, only about half of the survey’s respondents felt their own company’s initiatives were helpful, and roughly the same number felt a work-life policy would be most effective.
Respondents to Homethrive’s 2021 employee caregiver survey echoed many of the same sentiments.
So, what will you do to support your employees?