New research marking International Self-Care Day, taking place today (24th July), highlights that two-thirds of the UK workforce do not feel they are in a work environment where they can self-care and look after their wellbeing, demonstrating that significant work must be done by organisations to provide better support.
The data, released by MHR, the HR, payroll and finance software provider, has found that 69% of employees feel underappreciated within their organisation, and 20% so much so that they are considering leaving. To remedy this, 78% of workers state they would feel more appreciated with a pay rise, while 10% are simply looking for greater recognition from their colleagues and 8% would like their development to be prioritised.
Jeanette Wheeler, Chief HR Officer, MHR, said:
The headlines are clear and concerning, UK workers are feeling underappreciated and are not operating in an environment where they can look after themselves. There’s undeniably a growing appreciation gap between employers and employees and organisations must sit-up, take notice and recognise the role they play in building an enriching and fulfilling work environment and culture – if they don’t, they risk a fifth of their workforce walking out the door.
Jeanette Wheeler, Chief HR Officer, MHR
Respondents went on to outline the steps organisations could take to help their workforce better self-care for themselves, with:
- 56% of workers looking for greater flexibility on hours
- 20% looking for a more supportive organisational culture
- 14% looking for greater support and help with their workload
- 10% looking for more wellbeing support from their employer
Wheeler added:
It’s no surprise that in a cost-of-living crisis that a large proportion of the workforce are looking for a pay increase and organisations must act where they can. However, our data demonstrates there are clear, proactive steps leaders can take to better support their people. The future demands a flexible work standard and supportive organisational culture where employees feel empowered and heard. You don’t need to wait for an annual review to acknowledge the hard work of your people, show your appreciation and how much you value them as often as you can.
In addition to today’s findings, research from MHR earlier this year found nearly eight in 10 (79%) employees do not believe their employer when they discuss or promote wellbeing initiatives and 49% identified a lack of support from employers to be the leading cause of burnout. And when employees do have issues they struggle alone, with fewer than 18% tell their line manager. These findings further underline the step-change organisations must take in supporting their people.
International Self-Care Day is celebrated on 24th July. It stresses the importance of self-care as the cornerstone of wellness. On this day, individuals throughout the world are encouraged to make self-care a part of their everyday routines and turn it into a priority. It is a milestone, and an opportunity to raise further awareness of the benefits of effective self-management of health.
Joanne is the editor for Workplace Wellbeing Professional and has a keen interest in promoting the safety and wellbeing of the global workforce. After earning a bachelor's degree in English literature and media studies, she taught English in China and Vietnam for two years. Before joining Work Well Pro, Joanne worked as a marketing coordinator for luxury property, where her responsibilities included blog writing, photography, and video creation.