Employees taking greater responsibility for their wellbeing

It has been three years since the pandemic began and organisations have been attempting to remain productive and profitable despite the uncertainty of the economic outlook. There remains a need for both business leaders and employees to understand the complexity of hybrid work practices, as well as the need to adjust business practices to meet the needs of employees.

A study published by EPOS entitled The Workplace of the Future indicates that employees place a high priority on their wellbeing. Specifically, employees across the globe are taking more responsibility for their wellbeing, both physical and mental, and over half (53%) say they prioritise it more than they did before the pandemic.

Consequently, 38% of employees expect their employers to support staff mental health needs by providing them with time off for mental health needs, which is part of their health ecosystem. A further 30% of employees expressed they want to see organisations dedicate time for employees to pursue mental and physical wellness activities.

READ: Achieving positive employee wellbeing goes beyond remuneration

In addition to that, it was found that employee burnout is a persistent issue and that 36% of global employees have experienced burnout in the last 12 months. This is primarily felt among Gen Z (40%) and millennials (42%).

The survey also pointed out an increasing disconnect around remote working between employers and employees. Almost a third (30%) say they intend to change careers to improve their overall happiness, and less than half (43%) are satisfied with their current work and life balance.

Jeppe Dalberg-Larsen, President of EPOS, commented, “The world of work has never been as complex as it is today. Business leaders who are invested in the future of their company and the future of their employees need to think intentionally about their hybrid strategies.”