LifeWorks highlight need for employers to provide holistic wellbeing programs

LifeWorks, a leading provider in the digital space of wellbeing (mental, physical, financial and social) has released its monthly Mental Health Index™, revealing a negative mental-health score among Australians for the 16th consecutive month.

The monthly survey by LifeWorks was conducted through an online survey from 30th June to 12th July  2021, with 1,000 respondents residing in Australia and Australia and employed within the last six months.

Senior vice president and managing director, Australia and Asia-Pacific, Jamie MacLennan notes “as the Delta variant continues to spread across the country and ongoing lockdowns re-emerge, Australians are facing not only uncertainties and concerns regarding their health – both physically and mentally – but also increased frustration.

“The pandemic has not only transformed the way employees assess their workplace’s wellbeing program, but it has also drastically increased the level of its importance. Employers are now considering wellbeing offerings that go beyond support for physical health alone. It is essential to provide holistic programs that consider employees’ total wellbeing and unique needs.

“As employees adapt to the post-pandemic workplace, it is essential that they feel supported in their total wellbeing.”

Global leader and senior vice president, research and total wellbeing, Paula Allen adds “as physical health continues to be a consideration in return-to-workplace discussions across Australia, it is important that conversations about mental health do not take a back seat. We needed time to adjust to working from home and will need to adjust to returning to the workplace.

“Australian employers need to foster environments where their teams feel welcomed, valued and listened to. Supporting employee wellbeing requires a holistic approach and now more than ever, must be prioritised by business leaders in order for their employees to feel safe.”

Key findings of LifeWorks’ latest monthly Mental Health Index :

• Overall mental-health score of -11.9 compared to the pre-pandemic benchmark, representing a slight improvement from June, when the score reached its lowest point since October 2020.

• Managers were 60% more likely than non-managers to request mandatory vaccinations upon the return-to-workplace.

• 17% of respondents feel that the culture of their organization does not support their personal wellbeing. This group has a mental-health score of -24.3.

• 18% of respondents are unsure of their company’s culture of support. This group has a mental-health score of -13.6.

• 65% of respondents feel that the culture of their organisation supports their personal wellbeing. This group has a mental-health score of -9.5.

Strong relationship with work peers contributing to improved mental health:

• 73% of respondents indicate that their relationship with work peers has remained the same compared to before the pandemic. This group has a mental health score of -8.0.

• 14% of respondents report an improved relationship with work peers. This group has a mental health score of -15.8.

• 13% of respondents report a worsened relationship with work peers. This group has a mental health score of -24.9.

• Managers are more than three times as likely as non-managers to report an improved relationship with their work peers compared to before the pandemic.

• Parents are nearly three times as likely than non-parents to report an improved relationship with their work peers compared to before the pandemic.

Mixed views on vaccination policies with one third favouring employer-mandated vaccine policies:

• 35% of respondents want mandated vaccination policies implemented by their employer. This group’s mental-health score is -10.3.

• 42% of respondents do not want employer-mandated vaccination policies. This group’s mental-health score is -12.1.

• 23% of respondents are uncertain about employer-mandated vaccination policies. This group’s mental-health score is -12.0.

The full Australian LifeWorks Mental Health Index™ report can be found here.