It’s clear that employee burnout and mental health issues have been an ongoing problem in the last several years. 76% of respondents in a Mental Health America and FlexJobs study agreed that workplace stress affects their mental health and 75% experienced burnout. Despite employees investing in programs to address stress and improve emotional well-being, a significant number of employees are still struggling with high levels of anxiety and burnout.
According to a recent report from Aflac, 57% of employees are experiencing at least moderate levels of burnout. There has also been a decline in employees’ confidence that their employers truly care about their well-being.
Aflac’s Chief Human Resources Officer, Jeri Hawthorne, notes that factors such as the upcoming presidential election, financial worries, long work hours, and other stressors could heighten the burnout issue even further this year.
The Importance Of Employer Action
Hawthorne stresses that the burden falls on small business owners to be at the forefront of addressing employee burnout and improving their situations. Burned-out employees are less productive, more likely to be absent or have behavioral issues, and more inclined to leave their jobs if they don’t feel their employer cares about them. Burned-out employees are also less likely to go above and beyond for clients, which can lead to a negative impact on your company’s performance.
To combat this, Hawthorne recommends that employers take a proactive and engaged approach:
- Regularly remind employees about available benefits, time off, and wellness programs, making them easy to access and understand.
- Provide opportunities for employees to give back or volunteer, as this can boost their sense of purpose and well-being.
- Continuously communicate about benefits and wellness offerings, not just during open enrollment periods.
- Tailor communications and programs to specific employee demographics and their unique needs.
- Solicit regular feedback from employees on what additional support they require.
By taking these steps, employers can demonstrate their genuine care for employee well-being and work to reverse the troubling trends around burnout and declining confidence. Prioritizing mental health and emotional wellness will be crucial for organizations looking to support their workforce and maintain high performance.
Show Your Employees You Care
Remind your employees about taking paid time off (PTO) and about available benefits. Encourage employees to use the PTO they’ve earned, whether it’s for a vacation, personal matters, or simply to recharge. Employees proved that they could successfully work from home during the pandemic. Giving employees the opportunity to work and taking time off when needed is important.
In addition, navigating employee benefit offerings during open enrollment can be overwhelming. It’s crucial to make these offerings, tools, and programs understandable and readily available for when employees need them and can easily access that information.
Employers should also talk with their employees and ask for their feedback on their benefits packages and conduct surveys. Ask your employees what they are looking for and what they value. Act on their feedback and implement new strategies.
Prioritize Employees' Mental Health With GMS
By partnering with GMS, you can demonstrate your commitment to your employees’ well-being and create a workplace culture that prioritizes mental health. This not only benefits your team, but also contributes to improved productivity, engagement, and overall business success. When you partner with GMS, we provide you with mental health benefits for your employees, such as:
- Affordable health insurance plans through our group health insurance
- Employee assistance programs (EAPs)
- Access to our learning management system (LMS), where employees can partake in mental health training
- Access to wellness programs
- And more!
Take the final step towards empowering your workforce. Contact GMS today to learn how we can help you implement a comprehensive mental wellness program that meets the needs of your employees and your organizations.