Emotional Well-Being
The mental state of workers is becoming an increasingly important issue for employers. This is because in the United States alone, 5 million people miss work each week due to emotional distress and 4 million work days a week are lost due to depression, which costs businesses $210.5 billion every year.
Six Causes of Emotional Distress at Work
- Job Specific Stress: 65% of Americans say their job is the top stressor in their life. This is often due to heavy work loads that begin to affect life at home.
- Finances: An increasing amount of employees report being stressed about their personal finances. That is why many employers already have, or plan to incorporate, financial well-being programs into their wellness strategy.
- Relational stress: This can result from conflicts with an employee’s fellow co-workers or in their personal lives.
- Social Isolation: Occasional isolation can be good for productivity, but continued isolation can have negative effects on mental health. According to The American Journal of Preventive Medicine, social media is contributing to this isolation. It gives the illusion of social interaction while actually increasing feelings of depression and stress.
- Impersonal Communication: As organizations rely more on technology, the perception of work becomes less personal and this creates more social isolation.
- Generational Gaps: Generational differences can be the cause of division in the workplace, especially with the
- increased use of technology.
The Solution
These causes of emotional distress can be all be improved by promoting communication and well-being within the workplace. Click here to read the full report from Aon and discover the benefits of investing in your employees mental health!
