Employees across Ireland are experiencing significant pressure in the workplace and require employers who prioritise their health by reducing workplace pressures and stressful environments.
Employees across Ireland are experiencing significant pressure in the workplace and require employers who prioritise their health by reducing workplace pressures and stressful environments.
That’s according to a new employee wellbeing survey conducted by online GP service Webdoctor.ie.
“Employees in the workforce today are feeling a lot of pressure in their roles and unsurprisingly that a good work-life balance and health benefits are of significant value to employees when they are considering a job or role”
According to the survey, almost one-third of Irish employees feel pressure to go work when they’re sick, with almost four in five (79%) of those employees saying that it is due to the scale of their workload and the lack of internal support from their employer.
The survey reveals insights regarding issues experienced by employees within the Irish workforce, as well as key factors for employers to consider in order to establish a better workplace environment, and as a result, increase employee retention.
Stressed at work
Feelings of stress and being ‘overwhelmed’ in the workplace are common within the Irish workforce, with half of those surveyed admitting they feel stressed at work, and one in ten feeling stressed daily. Alleviating the pressure on employees should be a top priority for employers going forward, with almost 50% of people also saying they are often overwhelmed by their workload.
The survey highlighted the importance of employers offering specific health benefits and resources, with almost all employees (97%) saying they are more likely to remain loyal to an employer if they have shown they care for their health and 99% saying that a focus on health and wellbeing in the workplace would benefit both employees and the organisation.
While the survey revealed several pressure points experienced by the workforce in Ireland, it also highlighted a number of steps employers are already taking to maintain a positive work environment.
For example, over three-quarters of workplaces (78%) in Ireland provide resources and benefits to support employee health, with the most common being paid sick leave (88%), medical cover (83%) and Bike-to-Work Scheme (78%). The most requested additional supports individuals would like to see introduced in their workplace include gym membership and allowances towards home exercise (63%). Other resources they would like to be offered include:
- Comprehensive work policies (46%)
- Healthy eating options (42%)
- Active living initiatives e.g., company-wide step challenge (38%)
The majority of workplaces show they care about employees’ mental wellbeing, with eight in ten employees saying they are provided with mental health resources in their place of work. An Employee Assistance Programme or confidential counselling service is offered to three in four people, while more than half provide mindfulness training and workshops. Paid time off for mental wellbeing days is provided by 43% of employers, with over half (54%) allowing for flexible working hours.
Key factors people consider important when applying for a job include compensation and benefit packages with 86% regarding medical cover as a top factor and the same percentage placing significant importance on work-life balance. These findings support the increasing need for companies to prioritise employee health by reducing workplace pressures and stressful environments. Other important factors include:
- Company culture and values (66%)
- Opportunity for career development (64%)
- Job stability and security (61%)
- Location/ commute (60%)
- The team and colleagues (54%)
- The job’s challenges and responsibilities (38%)
“This survey has shown that employees in the workforce today are feeling a lot of pressure in their roles and unsurprisingly that a good work-life balance and health benefits are of significant value to employees when they are considering a job or role,” said Ian Kennedy, chief marketing officer at Webdoctor.ie.
“That’s where Webdoctor.ie can play a key role, we provide companies with a cost-effective way to offer medical cover to their staff. While it’s great to see so many employers recognising these needs and offering resources such as medical cover, flexible work hours and mindfulness training, it’s also clear that there is a serious need for a shift in mindset in the workplace to reduce the stresses and pressure people are currently experiencing in the workplace.”
