Is return to work anxiety being taken seriously?

Is return to work anxiety being taken seriously?

After 16 months of working from home, 55% of UK professionals are reporting anxiety about going back to the office routine. But the survey by CV-Library among 1,100 people highlights how the roots of the concerns are less to do with the risks of Covid-19 than mental wellbeing.

73% didn’t want to lose the flexibility of WFH and all the benefits they’d experienced in terms of work/life balance and more time for family and friends. 44% felt they were more productive when they were not in the office. 33% were worried in particular about a return to office politics. Just a third flagged uncomfortable feelings around the risks from Covid-19.

Who’s helping?

In terms of support from employers the survey found a very mixed picture: a lack of awareness of what’s on offer (if anything), and an unwillingness among staff to speak with their manager about their concerns.

74% of the UK professionals said there was no mental health support on offer to help with the transition back into the office. Only 23% said they would feel comfortable with speaking with their manager.

Of those organisations that did have support available, 46% provided a staggered return to work and regular check-ins with managers; 40% offered access to an EAP; 29% to a ‘how to guide’ for preparing for the return.

The clash

“The lifting of coronavirus restrictions hasn’t meant a simple return to work and return to normal. Far from it,” says EAPA UK chair Eugene Farrell.

“And it has to be recognised that there’s a basic tension between the needs of businesses looking to maximise efficiency and productivity within its operations and the preferences of office-based employees who found WFH a boon to their wellbeing.

“It’s not a tension that employers can afford to ignore when it comes to engagement and retention. Particularly given the sudden opening up of the jobs market and more people looking for a move and better conditions. Employers need to make sure they are listening, keeping some levels of flexibility in mind – and make sure all staff are aware of the EAP services to help them find their own new normal.”

Is return to work anxiety being taken seriously? EAPA UK