Can wellbeing be a priority at the same time as post-pandemic growth?

Can wellbeing be a priority at the same time as post-pandemic growth?

Fewer than a quarter of managers in new research say that employee mental wellbeing is a priority for them in 2022.

The research by King’s College London an South Westminster Business Alliance also suggests that managers are also aware of their own shortcomings: 78% agreed they wouldn’t be able to spot the signs of struggles with mental health among their teams. The main causes of issues were found to be related to work rather than home.

Hybrid working, it was discovered, just makes the signs of poor mental health among employees harder to spot.

Troubles ahead

The findings come at a time when growing financial pressures — from spiking energy bills and inflation generally — are likely to bring more stresses on employees and their relationships.

King’s College researchers suggest the coming months are a critical time for establishing good processes of support. “There is increasing awareness of the rise in mental health challenges, which have been accelerated by the pandemic. It is a crucial moment in time for employees returning to hybrid working, so is vital that businesses do all they can to support,” said Lucy Strang, Research Associate at the Policy Institute, King’s College London.

“Our research finds that participating companies were advocating health and wellbeing checks, so it is encouraging that given time and resource required that they can deliver and better support employees.”

How growth happens

“Businesses in 2022 are certainly prioritising growth and recovery,” says EAPA UK chair Eugene Farrell.

“The question is whether an issue like employee wellbeing gets lost in the drive for implementing the necessary changes and hikes in effort. In many ways, the ability of organisations to grow will be based on resilience, the breadth and depth of staff — their engagement and performance. And ultimately all of those things depend on wellbeing and making sure managers and the workplace culture  overall is set up to help.”