In the latest Candidate Pulse study, conducted in the third quarter of 2021, Michael Page asked Polish employees about mental health and well-being at work.

Candidates were asked about the challenges they have faced since the beginning of the pandemic and the feelings that accompany them during the period of isolation and as a result of switching to remote work. The respondents most often indicated that the pandemic resulted in a higher level of stress or anxiety (22%), weight loss or gain (20%), and a deterioration in the quality of sleep (19%). Almost every fourth respondent stated that as a result of the pandemic they feel more frustrated and angry (18%) and a lower level of motivation and energy (17%).

When it comes to the impact of remote work on the well-being of employees, 24 percent of the respondents stated that they are accompanied by a sense of isolation. However, it turns out that loneliness is not the worst problem for employees. 50 percent respondents admitted that they feel more pressure from the employer, and 49 percent. believes that their work is not sufficiently appreciated. Disruptions in the harmony of work-life balance are noticed by over 40 percent. respondents.

– Our research has shown that the period of the pandemic has a painful impact on our mental health, which also affects our efficiency and motivation to work. Therefore, employers should now take special care of the well-being of their employees. Unfortunately, 40 percent. of our survey participants believe that their superiors and managers are downplaying mental health, and only 22 percent. of the respondents confirmed that their companies have undertaken actions aimed at improving the well-being of employees – says Jacek Łuć, director at Michael Page. According to him, these very disturbing data show that mental health is still a taboo subject for many of us. Meanwhile, the quality of work and motivation to achieve success is highly dependent on our mental condition and well-being. Taking care of the mental well-being of employees is the basis for being able to fully use the potential of employees.

More than half of the respondents asked to identify specific solutions that, in their opinion, could help affect their well-being, believe that companies should be more open to flexible work models that will allow them to choose the most effective system of performing tasks. 38 percent of the respondents said that they expected more recognition and praise from their supervisor. 37 percent admits that the key issue is to improve communication between managers and employees and to better manage tasks and time.

– The pandemic period and the transition to remote work meant that many companies have forgotten about the „soft” aspects of company management. Almost every third candidate (33%) would like his company to introduce more initiatives aimed at improving the well-being and integration of teams – claims Jacek Łuć. And he adds: – The key role is also played by empathy and understanding, which, according to our respondents, was lacking in the past time.

Łuć admits that some companies have noticed how a disturbed balance between work and private life negatively affects employee productivity and have started to implement appropriate solutions that will help them regain good habits, such as banning e-mails and organizing teleconferences during informal working hours. – Importantly, as much as 84 percent. of the respondents admitted that the initiatives implemented by companies related to the well-being of employees may affect their choice of workplace. In order to attract the widest possible pool of talent, employers should start by building an organizational culture that prioritizes mental health and team support, stresses the director at Michael Page.

Source: https://www.prawo.pl/kadry/jak-pandemia-wplywa-na-pracownikow-jakie-dzialania-podejmuja,510759.html

Projekt otrzymał dofinansowanie z Norwegii poprzez Fundusze Norweskie 2014-2021, w ramach programu „Dialog społeczny – godna praca”.