According to the study, “Global Benefits Attitudes Survey”, carried out by WTW, two out of five (40%) employees in Spain indicate suffer from anxiety or depression, and one in ten report severe symptoms. The results show how these disorders can strongly impact the performance of employees, since those affected lose 34.5 days a year due to presenteeism and absenteeismcompared to 15 days for those without symptoms.
More than half (58%) of people with severe anxiety and depression say they feel stuck and would be Willing to change company which entails a risk in terms of reducing the level of commitment. Likewise, 61% say they feel “Burned” at work, while half (50%) struggle with addictive behaviors such as alcohol or other substance abuse.
“Good emotional health is vital for everyone, and many steps can be taken to support people with anxiety or depression. Many companies have learned a lot during the pandemic about how to improve the well-being of their workforce, and fortunately that emphasis has not disappeared”says Gema Jiménez, Director of Business Development for Health & Benefits at WTW Spain. “Organizations must do more to support the specific wellness needs of their employees. There is no single solution that works for everyone«.
In Spain, one in three employees (33%) would like their company to take care of your emotional well-being, as part of the benefits program. However, only 3 out of 10 (30%) say that this type of initiative contributes to improving their mental health.
The research also reveals that the use of virtual assistance tools, such as apps and online forums, can be helpful. 61% of the “big users” of this type of digital tools states that their mental health has improved in the last year, compared to 19% of those who do not use them.
«The digital space has great potential to help employees with their emotional health and there is much we can do. A strong benefits policy, coupled with tools and resources, as well as a workplace culture that supports dignity and builds employee trust are important to the well-being of the workforce”indicates Gema Jiménez.
