Employer support will be key to curbing rising levels of stress, burnout
Better yet, increased levels of employer support are tied to a lower likelihood of an employee searching for a new career.
As stress continues to be a major concern for workers’ well-being, a new study underscores the importance of employer support. The study, published by digital wellness company meQuilibrium, surveyed more than 5,000 workers and managers.
At a time when there are many reports of burnout among workers, the new study confirmed that the second year of the pandemic continues to bring high levels workplace stress. The survey found a 21% rise in burnout and a 17% increase in somatic stress symptoms—physical symptoms of stress such as shoulder or neck pain.
Related: Stress, bad decisions shoot up in 2021
“Employee wellbeing continues to be under threat 18 months into the pandemic,” said Brad Smith, Ph.D., the chief science officer at meQuilibrium. “Our data shows that workers continue to feel the cumulative mental health impacts of the crisis in the form of increased stress symptoms, burnout, and diminished motivation. We need to take action now to protect employee wellbeing before the clock runs out.”
Stress levels rising—at higher rates for some groups
The study found that between December 2020 and July 2021 employees experienced notable increases in stress, burnout, and work-life balance challenges. The level of burnout was up 21%, somatic stress was up 17%, and work-life imbalance was up 9%.
Different groups reported different levels of stress. Managers were hard-hit; 54% reported burnout symptoms in July 2021, compared to 22% reporting symptoms in December 2020. Managers were 25% more likely to report getting angry than in previous studies.
Reports of burnout were similar across the genders; symptoms were up 24% among women compared to 25% among men. Somatic stress symptoms were higher among women, with 40% reporting such symptoms, compared to 26% among men in July 2021. However, men’s symptoms in this area were rising sharply, from 17% in 2020 to 26% in 2021.
Younger employees reported higher increases in stress levels than older workers—for example, burnout symptoms were up 64% in those under age 30, while up 22% for those over 30. Job stress held steady for older workers between 2020 and 2021 but was up 19% for younger workers. And there was a 32% increase in younger workers saying they need a different work-life balance, as compared to an increase in 6% for those over 30.
There were differences among industries as well; workers in the field of technology, hospitality, and finance reported higher somatic stress levels. Hospitality, health care, and finance had the highest levels of reported burnout symptoms.
One solution: better employer support
The report noted that workers who said they felt strongly supported by their employers reported the highest levels of wellbeing and were less likely to say they were interested in moving to another job.
“Although burnout and reports of somatic symptoms of stress were up in both groups, those who felt strongly supported by their employer had half the rate of increase as those who felt less well supported,” the report said.
The survey results showed that employees who felt strongly supported by their employer were:
● 91% more engaged with the company’s mission and vision ● 66% more connected to their job ● 52% less likely to be considering quitting their job ● 27% less worried about balancing work and family
“Employers who continue to place a premium on employee wellbeing and performance can moderate the negative effects of the pandemic on their people before they become overwhelmed,” explained Jan Bruce, CEO and co-founder of meQuilibrium. “Together with the increase noted in manager burnout, the finding that managers feel less well supported strongly underscores the importance of companies making an extra effort to care for their managers.”
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