Almost one out of 2 employees report seeing signs of stress among their colleagues, according to a new survey from healthcare provider Cigna.
As a result the company is launching a new workplace mental health campaign, and is calling for employers and employees to do more to tackle this issue.
The Cigna 360 Wellbeing Survey found the majority of these stressed-out employees work in an ‘always on’ corporate culture. Eight out of 10 of those who have noticed these problems claim it is having an impact in the workplace, particularly in relation to team morale.
Despite these widespread problems, less than a third (28 per cent) of employer have a formal wellness programme in place to support employees.
The survey found that more than seven out of 10 (72 per cent) workers in the UK said they suffer from stress, but only 11 per cent have sought professional help about this issue.
Cigna’s new mental health campaign is designed to help UK workers spot the signs and symptoms of stress and know what to look out for in the workplace. This also contains information on how employers – and employees – can support those affected.
Cigna Europe chief executive Phil Austin says: ““We’re living in an ‘always on’ culture, with stress at an all-time high. It’s evident from our research that employers can do more to empower their staff to support each other.
“Our practical tips help employers and employees spot the signs and encourage a more open culture in addressing mental health issues in the workplace.”
Now in its fifth year, this Cigna wellbeing survey examines people’s perceptions of well-being across five key pillars: physical, family, social, financial and work.The results reveal that the overall UK Wellbeing Index increased slightly from 59.7 in 2018 to 62.5 in 2019. This means that, after a fall in previous years, the Index is improving.
