New data has revealed that 37% of male employees and 15% of females think believing in what the company stands for and having a sense of purpose would help improve their wellbeing.
The research was carried out by insurer Legal and General for Men’s Health Week, which finishes on Sunday (20 June), among staff at UK small and medium-sized enterprises. It aimed to explore if men and women define their own wellbeing differently and have varying views on how it can be improved in the workplace.
In terms of what wellbeing means to them as an employee, for 74% of females this was feeling mentally well and for 71% this was feeling physically well. In comparison, 54% of men prioritised mental health, while fewer than half (44%) cited physical health.
The research also found that for 36% of men, having good work acknowledged was a key wellbeing factor, compared to just 20% of female respondents. Having good career opportunities formed part of employee wellbeing for 23% of males and 12% of females.
Vanessa Sallows, claims and governance director for Legal and General Group Protection, commented that rates of work-related stress are on the increase and are likely being exacerbated by ongoing Covid-19 (Coronavirus) related concerns.
“With the impending end of furlough, the potential for redundancy or the gradual return to places of work – whether on a full time or hybrid basis – levels of stress and anxiety are only likely to increase. As the results of our research help reinforce, tackling individual health and happiness is complex and can’t be achieved via one-size-fits-all measures,” she said.