Disconnect to Reconnect: Are Companies Failing to Support Workers’ Wellbeing?

It’s been a hot topic ever since the pandemic began: wellbeing and mental health. Before the pandemic even began, workers were more stressed, anxious, and overworked than ever before. Longer hours made it even harder to disconnect from work.

The last few years have given people opportunity to reflect on their mental health as nations were cast into lockdown after lockdown and makeshift home office setups. The question for many organisations as we emerge into the new normal is: ‘’how can we support our workers to help them reconnect?’’

Research from Adecco’s recent survey, “Disconnect to Reconnect,” shows that wellbeing remains a key issue for workers, even more so now than during pandemic. The survey gathered perspectives on burnout and the future of work from more than a dozen countries worldwide. It highlighted that the level of support that workers feel from their company is playing a major role in whether they decide to stay in their jobs or leave for better conditions.

Wellbeing the key for worker retention

According to Adecco’s research, a majority of did not report an increase in stress and workload since the pandemic began. But 45% of participants still felt their employer was not doing enough to support their wellbeing. 7 out of 10 of those that experienced anxiety and stress during the pandemic reported feeling a lack of support from their employer.

Workers have been leaving their jobs during the Great Resignation for a number of different reasons, including a lack of recognition and toxic work cultures. Companies seem to understand that wellbeing is crucial to worker satisfaction, especially in light of the pandemic. Our research showed that 74% of companies have made changes to their policies and work environments in the hope of increasing employee engagement and satisfaction whilst reducing turnover.

How can workers disconnect?

Everyone has their own ways of disconnecting from work. The workers we surveyed indicated that a flexible work location and schedule are most helpful in allowing them to unplug after a busy workday and reduce their stress levels overall.

Many companies provided some type of benefits for their workers during the pandemic, even offering additional days off to overworked and overstressed workers. But even in light of burnout, some companies have begun to call back theirworkforce to the office.

Our survey suggested that workers want more support, including sports activities, recreational activities, mental health support, and more. But only a third of the companies surveyed offer these additional types of benefits.

How companies can support wellbeing

The Great Resignation may have made headlines at the start of 2022, but workers continue to re-evaluate their professional and personal lives. Companies seem to have anticipated and expected high turnovers and increased sick leave in the coming 6 months. This is why it’s so important that organisations and leaders better understand what workers both want and need. Empathy and understanding for their workers’ unique situations can help reduce turnover.

Still, 23% of surveyed workers plan on leaving their jobs in the upcoming 2 years. In fact, our data shows that workers reporting higher levels of stress also report higher likelihoods of leaving their roles within two years or less. One of ten of those workers plan to leave in the next 12 months.

What can companies do to make sure that they are providing optimal benefits for employee wellbeing?

They can start by considering existing gaps in their benefits offerings and make sure that there is clear communication to workers with all available opportunities.

For some companies, it may simply be a matter of miscommunication. Asking for employee feedback about what matters most to them and rethinking company initiatives addressing sick leave, productivity, and more, could also stem the tide of high turnover.

One thing is for sure: workers across the globe are exhausted, burned out, and reconsidering their roles in light of their wellbeing and stress levels. Companies have the power to support their workers’ wellbeing and ensure they cultivate a positive and engaged working environment.