More than half (59%) of UK managers have reported that their mental wellbeing has been impacted as a result of being asked to do more with fewer resources, according to research by global benefits and reward platform provider Perkbox.
Its survey of 2,000 UK managers also found that 49% said they now have a reduced capacity to care for their own wellbeing.
Providing personal support has become part of managers’ day-to-day jobs, with 61% believing that looking after their team’s wellbeing should be their responsibility. As many as 88% said they feel responsible for their team’s wellbeing and 73% have been asked to do more with fewer resources.
More than half (57%) of respondents said that increased pressure from business leaders has made it much more difficult to support their team’s wellbeing, while 45% feel powerless to better protect their team due to lack of training and adequate tools from their employer.
In response, more than three-quarters (77%) have developed new skills and competencies to fulfil their expanded managerial role, with 65% saying their relationship with their team has improved due to their expanded role.
In addition, nearly two-thirds (62%) said their teams increasingly need advice on non-work related issues, such as the cost-of-living crisis, while 72% are more concerned for the financial wellbeing of their team members.
Doug Butler, chief executive officer of Perkbox, said: “In the past year, the pressure placed on managers has quietly been growing; they’re expected to maintain performance, during an extremely difficult economic period, whilst somehow also safeguarding the wellbeing of those they manage. Business leaders and HR teams cannot let this go unrecognised. Only when proper frameworks and tools are in place will managers be able to support all facets of their team’s needs, without sacrificing their own wellbeing.”
