Staff are feeling the pressure of ‘empty seats’, with more than a third of workers reporting unmanageable workloads amid staff shortages.
In a YouGov poll of 2,000 employees and 1,000 HR decision makers, 38% of workers said they could not cope with their workload and their mental health was being impacted as a result. Perhaps more worryingly, 78% of workers say they had experienced burnout since the start of the year. The survey was conducted in April 2022. 46% said that hiring additional staff would help ease work pressure and alleviate burnout.
Around half of the decision makers said they had not recruited in the last three months. However, half said they were confident they would recruit the people they needed in the next three months. 27% acknowledge the skills shortage would be a challenge during that time.
Some industries have increased recruitment activity – notably hospitality and leisure, retail, marketing and sales. However, the poll found that the average time to fill a vacancy had increased to 6 weeks, up from four in the previous quarter.
The skills shortage is unlikely to let up anytime soon. While employers should continue to try and fill vacancies, it is clear this will not change overnight. We would urge employers to support staff who might be taking on extra work in the interim.
Combine burnout at work and the ongoing anxiety and strain caused by the cost-of-living crisis, the wellbeing of workers must be an employer’s priority. Businesses should endeavour to create a work environment were people feel their voices are heard, and their mental health is cared for.
In addition to hiring staff, workers wanted to see the following support from their employer; half said they would like to have mental health days, with 33% saying they would like to see more conversations about mental health in the workplace.
For HR professionals, the top two issues facing them in the next quarter were staff retention and skills shortage, with 28 and 27% reporting this respectively. Just a quarter (25%) of HR professionals polled said the mental wellbeing of their staff was a concern, with 23% reporting they would encourage staff to take time off for their mental wellbeing in the next three months.
It is clear decision makers are taking action, with 17% saying they were training mental health first aiders, and 16% introducing wellbeing initiatives for the first time. However, with 78% of workers stating they had suffered with some form of burnout since the beginning of the year, it is clear this is not enough. advo are able to help with mental health first aid training, and a range of health and wellbeing benefits that could assist employees with easing the symptoms of burnout. Talk to us today.
Original article here.