More than eight in 10 employees in the US and UK are unaware of stress management programmes run by their employer.
This is according to findings from Alight and Business Group on Health’s research series, 2022 Alight International Workforce and Wellbeing Mindset Study which surveyed more than 10,000 employees across the US, UK, Germany, France and the Netherlands.
The survey found just 15% of employees in the US and the UK reported being aware of employer-sponsored stress-management programmes. And of those who were aware of the benefit, less than one-quarter (23%) said they made use of it, even though 32% of employees wanted their employer to offer more mental health resources.
The survey showed close to three-quarters (73%) of all workers reported high levels of stress due to such factors as the ongoing pandemic, economic concerns and social unrest.
Additionally, more than one-third (34%) of workers reported suffering symptoms of burnout, while only one in three employees said their employer cared about their wellbeing.
In terms of tackling these issues, the surveyed findings suggest employers should prioritise the total wellbeing of their workforce and increasing employee awareness and adoption of available wellbeing programmes.
Ellen Kelsay, president and CEO of Business Group on Health, said: “These sentiments demonstrate a disconnect in employees’ views of their workplace wellbeing benefits, as large employers have continued to make significant investments in workforce wellbeing benefits and programmes.”
Stephan Scholl, CEO of Alight Solutions, added: “Workers worldwide found that Covid-19 intensified challenges to wellbeing.
“As a result, they sometimes face difficulties in showing up to work as their best selves, which ultimately affects companies’ bottom line. At the same time, caring about employee wellbeing is critical to recruiting and retaining talent.”