In the fast-paced world of 2023, nurturing your team’s happiness is crucial, and yet 76% of professionals are experiencing stress at moderate to high levels.

Let’s explore the essential statistics around workplace wellbeing, and what measures you can take right now to encourage mental health support at work.

Mental health

• 14.7% experience mental health problems from the workplace – Mental Health Foundation
• 40% of employees take time off work as a result of mental health issues – Benenden Healthcare
• 91% of workers in the UK experience work replaced stress – theofficegroup.com
• Over 50% of employees don’t feel that their mental health is a big enough priority for their employer – Deloitte

Work-Life Balance

• 64% of employees do not feel involved in or enthusiastic about their work – Headspace 
• 44% say they don’t feel secure in their job – LCP
• 72% of workers believe work-life balance is a critical factor when choosing a job – Gitnux
• In the UK, 82% do not take a full lunch break, with two thirds of workers eating lunch at their desk most days – Standout CV

Social interactions

• 67% felt more disconnected  from their colleagues when working from home – Wellspace App
• People who have strong social connections tend to have lower rates of depression and anxiety and are more resilient to stress – Bupa
• 22% of employees in this year’s survey believe they’re equally or more productive when working alongside friends – Wildgoose
• 29% have relied upon colleagues for support with workplace or personal issues – Wildgoose

Mental Health matters:

Mental health issues can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or background. Providing comprehensive support systems that cater to individuals’ mental wellness needs is essential. Whether you’re a team leader or an employee, mental health workshops can be a great way to understand how to spot signs of stress, how you can create an environment where it’s okay to speak out, and how to be a supportive colleague.

Additionally, counselling services with trained professionals provide a safe and confidential space for individuals to express their their concerns, and develop coping mechanisms.

Balancing the scales of work vs life:

Encourage a healthy equilibrium by promoting flexible schedules and remote or work from home options. Parents, for example, might need closer to their children by spending part of the week at home, while others may just want a head-down focus day away from the distractions of the office.

By offering the choice and support for employees regardless of location or hours, you can help to create a work balance that suits each person’s needs.

Part of the team:

Create a sense of belonging through team-building activities and social events. From problem-solving challenges to outdoor activities, team-building events encourage collaboration, communication, and trust among team members.

Social events can offer a more relaxed and informal setting for team members to connect and build relationships. But it’s important to remember – not every social has to be after work drinks. Be mindful that not everyone drinks and explore options such as team lunches, or something fun, but challenging, like an escape room.

At Druthers, it’s our mission and our passion to empower organisations to find the best person to make an impact on their work, from a diverse shortlist of remarkable talent. Get in touch with us to find out how your business can make a positive change to your hiring and retention processes.