Exploring the Unacknowledged Emotional Toll on Employees and Managers
Posted on 29th June 2023 at 21:33
Employees' negative emotions in the workplace often go unnoticed, as both C-suite executives and managers are grappling with their own challenges. Achieving work-life balance has become increasingly difficult in recent years, characterised by the rise of remote work, heightened employee burnout, and mass layoffs. Unfortunately, employee well-being has taken a significant hit, with little action taken by employers to address the problem.
The Unnoticed Burden: Exploring the Unacknowledged Emotional Toll on Employees and Managers
Introduction: Employees' negative emotions in the workplace often go unnoticed, as both C-suite executives and managers are grappling with their own challenges. Achieving work-life balance has become increasingly difficult in recent years, characterised by the rise of remote work, heightened employee burnout, and mass layoffs. Unfortunately, employee well-being has taken a significant hit, with little action taken by employers to address the problem.
Impact on Employee Well-being: A survey conducted by Deloitte reveals that most workers have reported a decline or stagnant state of their health over the past year. The report highlights the struggles faced by workers and the lack of effective tools available to managers to address the issue.
Disconnect between Management and Employees: Deloitte's report, based on surveys of executives, managers, and employees in multiple countries, reveals a significant gap in perception regarding well-being. Over 75% of executives inaccurately believe that their workforce's well-being has improved, contrasting with only 32% of employees who truly feel that way. Financial well-being is a prominent example, with 37% of employees experiencing a decline, while only 5% of C-suite executives acknowledged it.
The Responsibility for Well-being: Deloitte's chief well-being officer, Jen Fisher, emphasizes that well-being is no longer solely HR's responsibility but should be embraced by all leaders. Many managers and executives lack the necessary training or organizational culture to prioritise employee well-being.
Factors Contributing to Poor Well-being: Fatigue, stress, overwhelm, and depression are common negative emotions experienced by employees, as revealed by Deloitte's report. The report identifies heavy workloads, stressful jobs, and long hours as significant obstacles to improving well-being. Managers and executives share similar sentiments, but their efforts often fall short due to lack of training and frustration.
Valuing Employees and Job Switching: Employees increasingly prioritise being valued in the workplace, leading to dissatisfaction and unhappiness when this is lacking. Growing concerns about well-being have prompted many employees to consider switching jobs to find better support. The report indicates that 60% of employees and 75% of those in the C-suite are contemplating a job change.
Conclusion: The neglect of employee well-being has reached a critical point, with significant repercussions for individuals and organisations. It is crucial for managers to take proactive measures to improve well-being, such as regular check-ins and setting healthy behaviour examples. Additionally, fostering accountability within organisations is essential. The erasure of boundaries between work and life has magnified the impact of work on people's well-being, highlighting the urgency for a renewed focus on holistic support in the workplace.
Tagged as: C-suite executives, workplace wellness, Employee engagement, Talent, Future of Work, Human
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