Stress Levels Are Rising Again–And More Time Off Doesn’t Seem to Be the Answer
As stress levels surge, the conventional wisdom of taking more time off appears to be losing its effectiveness. Let's delve into the complexities of this issue, exploring alternative solutions and understanding why the traditional approach may no longer be sufficient.
Employees are more stressed in their jobs than they were during the depths of the pandemic
Only 32 percent of workers polled in August 2021 said they were “completely satisfied” with the amount of on-the-job stress they face, down from 35 percent and 34 percent who reported feeling totally fine with their levels of stress in 2020 and 2019, respectively.
- Less than 50% of workers were satisfied with their health insurance offered by their employers.
Check in on workflow
Organizational surveys and one-on-one meetings can give employers a better idea of their worker’s needs, which can enable them to thoughtfully allocate resources (like mental health benefits) and restructure workflows to reduce employee stress—leading to more job satisfaction for everyone.
Pay up and cross train
If employees are dissatisfied by their salaries and opportunities for growth, raises and promotions can have a positive effect on morale and stress.
- Unfortunately, these moves aren’t always feasible–so in those instances, a one-time bonus for workers can be worth the cost.
Go beyond PTO
Employers can make improvements to workflow practices to optimize employee workloads