A recent poll of 200 HR managers - conducted by Wellbeing Partners - found that only 20 per cent of employers discourage employees from sending and replying to emails outside working hours and more than two thirds do not give any guidance on the safe use of technology and taking breaks away from screens.
More than three-quarters - 76 per cent of employers - do not offer any guidance to their staff about regularly taking annual leave.
Additionally, in the Wellbeing Partners survey 49 per cent of HR managers say their employees are struggling to find motivation and stay focused; 42 per cent agree that employees appear regularly tired or drained; 33 per cent say that employees seem to care less about work and 28 per cent feel that employees are finding tasks overwhelming or uninteresting. As well as this, 26 per cent state that employees appear resentful or cynical towards work and colleagues.
Lou Campbell - Programmes Director at Wellbeing Partners - said:
“It’s clear there is mounting pressure for HR, but there are some initial actions they can take to support employees while setting boundaries for their own wellbeing. Ensure that supportive conversations with employees follow a framework and schedule these conversations at a time when you have the energy and capacity to be supportive. Aim to finish work on time most days and give permission to switch off to avoid compassion fatigue. Knowing when to signpost employees onto wellbeing counsellors and EAPs is also a technique that HR professionals can learn, affording them more time and energy for their wider role, and ensuring that employees get appropriate professional support”.
The survey also reveals that when handling rising burnout and mental health concerns, HR is struggling to set boundaries for their own psychological safety.
Lou Campbell stated:
“While HR has a duty of care to support employees suffering with their mental health, they often neglect to look after themselves. For people in supporting roles, it’s useful to know what the appropriate boundaries are when discussing mental health issues with colleagues, to avoid becoming enmeshed or overly involved. Appropriate boundaries ensure that the conversation stays psychologically safe for the employee, and avoids compassion fatigue for HR.
Knowing the skills around setting boundaries and signposting to appropriate support is even more vital in a time when attracting and retaining staff is highly competitive; organisations must support HR to reduce the risk of key HR talent leaving their organisation as they deal with surging levels of employee burnout”.
