EDITOR ’ S QUESTION
ROSS O ’ BRIEN , MANAGING DIRECTOR , WYSA
Our latest research , All Worked Up , shows that more than one in three ( 35 %) working adults experience moderate to severe depression or severe anxiety symptoms – twice as high as the average UK adult prevalence . Increasing workload demands , long
hours , the cost of living crisis , the hangover of the pandemic – there is the perfect storm for employees to be struggling . And 52 % of them haven ’ t spoken with a health professional , with over a quarter ( 26 %) saying they simply don ’ t have time and a further 16 % saying they can ’ t get an appointment at a convenient time .
Despite so many mental health and wellbeing policies , people aren ’ t comfortable speaking to their HR teams . Eighty-four percent would choose to speak to a clinically validated mental health app than their HR team . Only 13 % of people would take time off work citing mental health as the reason , with half choosing to work regardless ( 48 %) and others either taking paid time off or blaming physical health rather than be honest . productivity , while London School of Economics say that ‘ even before the cost of living crisis , UK employers already had to contend with costs of up to £ 56 billion per annum due to poor staff mental health .’
What our research shows is that employees are struggling right now and need effective support .
The introduction of a four- day working week could for many be just what is needed , to help alleviate the crisis our employees and employers are clearly facing .
ONLY 13 % OF PEOPLE WOULD TAKE TIME OFF WORK CITING MENTAL HEALTH AS THE REASON , WITH HALF CHOOSING TO WORK REGARDLESS .
A four-day week could help people ’ s mental health , as it frees up time for therapy , exercise , creative hobbies or just rest . It gives them the time they need to rest and recharge . It ’ s not necessarily about imposing a certain work structure though . Flexibility is essential . Asking people what works for them , whether that ’ s compressed hours or shorter days , so you ’ re aligned to individual needs , will enable you to support employees best .
It ’ s a win win . Rested and happy employees are more productive and effective . According to the World Health Organisation , depression and anxiety cost the global economy US $ 1 trillion each year , predominantly from reduced
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