The ideas surrounding mental health in corporate America too often prove self-defeating and counterproductive. Scientific American published a research-based analysis that indicates upwards of 55 percent of employees fear retribution for taking a mental health day off. Compounding that problem, studies point to 83 percent of Americans suffering work-related stress, with 29 percent saying the levels were high to extreme.
The CDC found that approximately 24-48% of Americans, depending on the state they reside in, sleep less than the recommended amount of seven hours per night. In fact, 70 million Americans have some kind of sleeping disorder and 30% of those include short-term insomnia.
Many of today’s industry-leading organizations implemented policies and programs to enhance the quality of life of their talented team members. But one of the missing elements involves communicating the underlying reasons why decision-makers are investing in their workforce. By crafting and publishing a wellness vision statement that inspires people to participate, that rising tide of compassion raises all ships.
We already know that employees place a high importance on their workplace benefits. In fact, more than 40% of employees said that they were more likely to stay at their current organization if their employer provided mental health benefits, and Chipotle saw a 3.5 increase in their retention rate for employees who took advantage of their education program.
While telehealth options have become more and more popular throughout the last decade, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a huge surge in telehealth activity. Between March and April of 2021, telehealth plans saw a 41% increase, surging an already steadily growing industry.
One positive impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has to do with something most people can get behind: pet ownership. Surveys carried out in December 2020 showed that 10% of respondents in the United States said that they had recently acquired a new pet, which was an increase from just 6% earlier that year.
Don’t let the title mislead you; wellbeing in the workplace is no game. The health and wellbeing of your employees is just as important as (and often a reliable indication of) the health and wellbeing of your company.
The global pandemic prompted wide-reaching industries to pivot to remote workforces. Few employees were prepared for this seemingly radical shift even though the work from home trend had evolved by upwards of 400 percent during the last decade, according to remote workforce statistics published by Tech Republic. Those who were unprepared or not well suited to the change grew tired of working from home relatively quickly. Some developed the telltale signs of work from home fatigue and digital fatigue from excessive screen usage. These issues can be overcome with sound policies, infrastructure, and time management strategies.
The number of employees struggling with addictive substances has surged since 2018. Nearly half of American workers abused substances, and the number of people who were absent due to alcohol and substances almost doubled through 2020. The issues with drugs and alcohol in the workplace don’t even account for the overuse of prescription drugs.
People are often shocked to learn that, on average, Americans spend about one-third of their lives at work, which equates to 90,000 hours or ten full years on the clock. Considering how work-intensive our society has become, it’s no wonder why workers value their wellbeing, safety, and security at work now more than ever.
When you hear the term mindfulness, you might think of tropical vacations, yoga classes, or sitting crossed legged on a beach. However, mindfulness can also be a practice that you can implement into the daily life of your organization.
In the U.S., 83 percent of workers experience work-related stress at the cost of 300 billion dollars a year. Statistics show that mental health conditions are increasing, and occupational stress plays a role. Incorporating stress management in the workplace can create a healthy environment that supports employees and their emotional health and wellbeing.
Many organizations continue to work in remote and hybrid models as the pandemic winds down, but many employees, when given the option to return to work, would actually prefer to continue working remotely. Our new guide, Taking Care of Remote Employees: The Key To Business Success Beyond the Pandemic, gives you actionable steps to ensure that your employees feel supported no matter where they are working.
