Who struggles with wellbeing most — staff or bosses?

Who struggles with wellbeing most — staff or bosses?

A survey of more than 2,000 C-suite business leaders in the UK, US, Canada and Australia has revealed how almost 70% would like to leave their job for one that was better for their wellbeing.

The report by Deloitte and Workplace Intelligence (The C-suite’s role in well-being: How health-savvy executives can go beyond workplace wellness to workplace well-being) highlights the negative impact of the recent pandemic years on the wellbeing of top execs. 36% said that they were feeling exhausted, leading to ill-health; 24% were ‘lonely’, and 23% ‘depressed’.

Disconnected experiences

Figures also point to very different perspectives on who the pandemic affected most, whose wellbeing has come under the most pressure. More than 80% of the C-suite thought their employees were ‘thriving’ in terms of their wellbeing; 90% believed they understood entirely how difficult the Covid-19 years had been for their staff.

At the same time, fewer than half of the workforces themselves thought that their bosses understood the challenges. Just 56% believed that the C-suite cared about them and their wellbeing.

Early interventions

EAPA UK chair Eugene Farrell said: “It’s true that the leadership and employees have been under different kinds of pressures in the Covid-19 age. Rapid adaptation and strategic re-working on one side, delivery and adaptability on the other. But both have affected wellbeing in serious ways.

“What matters is that C-suite executives take wellbeing seriously for themselves — and appreciate that less obvious responsibility really doesn’t mean there’s a carefree existence among their staff. No one is more deserving than anyone else, and ultimately a holistic approach to wellbeing, one where everyone is aware of its importance and understands different needs for support, is the healthiest environment for organisations and their performance.

“And if top execs are feeling isolated and removed from the rest of the business, coming together to share in wellbeing activities, whatever form they take, could be the best way to re-connect.”

Who struggles with wellbeing most — staff or bosses? – EAPA UK