News, Wellbeing, Wellbeing at Work

Global survey: UK employers are still not taking employee wellbeing seriously

  • 6 out of 10 (61%) of employees do not regularly discuss their wellbeing with their manager
  • And just over half (53%) say their employer does not invest in their overall wellbeing
  • Of the 50% of UK respondents who have talked to their employer about their stress, 26% did not get the support they needed to feel better again
  • 19% of the respondents in the UK are still uncomfortable talking about mental health within their company

More than half of UK employees are not talking about wellbeing with their manager, according to the digital learning provider, GoodHabitz. It conducted a survey of 24,235 employees across the UK, Europe, Latin America and Australia, including 1,585 responses from employees in the UK. Respondents were asked about the impact of mental health and wellbeing on their work.

Despite mental health and wellbeing moving up the corporate agenda, 53% of workers say their employer still does not invest in their overall wellbeing. More worryingly, 26% of those that do let their employer know they are struggling do not get the support they need to feel better. However, 77% of UK employees believe a positive connection with their manager and co-workers benefits their wellbeing at work.

Martin Coles, Customer Success Coach at GoodHabitz, explained:

“Over the past year, workers across the globe have struggled with stress and burnout, underscoring the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to mental wellbeing. Among these individuals, approximately half chose to confront their difficulties in isolation without seeking support from their supervisors.

“This unspoken crisis emphasises the need to foster environments where open conversations around mental health are not only welcomed, but actively encouraged. However, this isn’t solely about talk; it’s about arming people with the skills and resources they require to have understanding and compassionate discussions.” 

Creating an environment that supports good mental wellbeing at work is a top priority for 60% of employees who say the right culture would help improve their happiness at work.

Employees say personal development opportunities would also help their wellbeing, with 60% of employees saying they would help improve their happiness at work. They say that being able to develop the following skills would have the most positive impact on wellbeing:

1 Stress management skills

2 Coaching, management and leadership skills

3 Productivity skills

4 Teamwork skills

5 Communication skills

6 Digital skills

7 Time management skills. 

Sandrien Boogaard, HR Director, GoodHabitz summarised:

“This new report shows us that nurturing personal development fosters a vibrant work culture and makes employees feel happier. The numbers reflect what I witness in my function as an HR professional: I believe that progressive companies must recognise the intrinsic link between the overall wellbeing of their employees and their work happiness. It is essential for managers to undergo training to effectively address and support this connection, fostering a positive and thriving work environment.”

 

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About GoodHabitz

GoodHabitz, founded in 2011 in the Netherlands, is a leading European provider of E-Learning solutions. By offering engaging and fun online courses, from soft skills to digital skills and languages, GoodHabitz contributes to the personal development of every employee. Various engaging learning formats make sure that the content is accessible and enjoyable for everyone. Coaches help to establish learning cultures in the organisation and all that for one fixed price. Currently, more than 2,500 companies, like Puma, ADAC or DEKRA upgrade their workforce with GoodHabitz. More than 400 employees are working for GoodHabitz in offices all over Europe. Please visit the website www.goodhabitz.com for more information.