Lockdown measures are taking their toll on the mental and physical wellbeing of the country, creating tension and rifts between colleagues and animosity towards employers.
A study by Westfield Health, as part of its Divided Together report on the health and wellbeing of the nation’s workforce, revealed the impact on employees, with mistrust, suspicion and envy creating division within teams.
Furloughed and working divides
The data showed a rift between furloughed and working employees. A large percentage (39%) of furloughed workers expect that others will get special treatment when they return to work and 30% feel that others think they have it easy.
As a result of this divide, 56% of furloughed workers say their mental health has got worse, increasing to 66% amongst furloughed parents. Concerns around personal finances and job security (64%) were found to be common amongst furloughed workers and these feelings of financial pressure are exacerbated by just 12% of furloughed parents saying their pay was being topped up compared to 21% of non-parents.
For those not on furlough, more than a third (35%) working from home feel colleagues on furlough have less to worry about with 28% saying furloughed colleagues are ‘getting an easy ride.’ Those with children were more likely to report feeling jealous of furloughed workers, with a fifth (21%) saying they should have been furloughed instead and 23% saying that furloughed workers are getting special treatment.
Tension over conference call
Even amongst those who are still working, tensions are building. More than four in ten (41%) reported feeling jealous of their colleagues’ home working environments. There were also concerns around productivity with almost half (46%) saying parents are using their kids as an excuse to do less; parents who are working from home were even more likely to be suspicious, with 53% saying others are using their kids as an excuse.
Coronavirus seems to be hitting the health of parents particularly hard. A third of parents working from home (33%) have seen their physical health deteriorate and almost half (47%) are likely to struggle with their mental health compared to 36% of overall respondents.
When comparing answers from those who were working at home and those going in to work, it seems the grass is always greener on the other side; over a third of those going in to work (38%) or working from home (36%) would rather be doing the opposite.
Dave Capper, CEO of Westfield Health, said: “As we begin to reopen parts of the economy and ease lockdown restrictions, one of the first places to feel the impact of these tensions will be the workplace.
“Rifts between those who have been furloughed and those who have carried on working – often with reduced pay – are complex and highly sensitive and can be attached to feelings of self-worth and value. With many business leaders focusing on long-term economic stability, there’s a risk they’ll overlook the challenge and importance of re-unifying divided teams.
“Our experiences and emotions from this time are not shared, they are very personal and our isolation from others is making this worse. A productive, thriving business is one that works as a unit. Being aware of and actively working to bridge these divides will be key to getting UK business back on track.”
Employees have high expectations after lockdown
The report revealed that many think their employer is already falling short creating angst between employer and employee. Over one in five (22%) say the company they work for could have handled the crisis better and 28% say they’re anxious about work. With only 11% of furloughed workers having been given a definite return date, it follows that 40% say their employer should be doing more to reassure them.
The pandemic has also increased expectations when it comes to support from employers. Almost a third (29%) of employees want more mental health support, 28% want additional wellbeing support and 23% are looking for more help from companies when it comes to physical health.
The report also revealed that many workers are keen to keep aspects of lockdown life when it comes to ways of working. Six in 10 (59%) workers with children at home will miss the way they have worked when going back to the office and 45% of those working from home believe they will work from home more often in the future - a clear opportunity for employers.
Dave Capper continues: “The biggest mistake businesses can make at the moment is thinking things will go back to how they were. Perceptions of colleagues, employers and how we work have all changed - we’re returning to somewhere we’ve never been before. The businesses that will recover and thrive over the next few years will be the ones who see this as an opportunity.”
