Are you happy and healthy at work? According to two surveys commissioned by MetLife, you may feel differently about your well-being than your employer does.
The surveys, which focused on financial, mental, physical, and social health, revealed a significant gap between employee perceptions and employer perceptions:
- While 55% of employees reported feeling financially healthy, 83% of employers said their employees were financially healthy.
- Similarly, 65% of employees reported feeling mentally healthy, compared to 85% of employers who said their employees were mentally healthy.
- And while 67% of employees felt socially healthy, 86% of employers thought their employees were socially healthy.
But it’s not just a matter of perception. The surveys also found that financial concerns can significantly impact employee mental health. Nearly half of employees said that financial concerns adversely affected their mental health. And when it comes to feeling cared for by their employer, more than one in four employees said they don’t feel cared for, which can have a negative impact on employee engagement, productivity, and loyalty.
The surveys also revealed some positive news:
- Overall job satisfaction improved to 69%, up from 66% in 2022, though it was still the second-lowest percentage since 2013.
- And employees overwhelmingly said that a supportive manager is a “must have” for employers who want to demonstrate that they care.
So what can employers do to bridge the gap and improve employee well-being?
Todd Katz, executive vice president of group benefits at MetLife, said in a press release, “Our research shows care is not only a differentiated driver of the employee experience, but also a proven workplace metric to measure employee outcomes…employers can’t afford to overlook employee care.”
This means that employers should prioritize employee care and take steps to show their employees that they are valued and supported. This could include offering financial wellness programs, mental health resources, and flexible work arrangements. Employers should also ensure that managers are trained to be supportive and empathetic, and that they actively engage with employees to understand their needs and concerns.
Ultimately, prioritizing employee well-being is not just the right thing to do, it’s also good for business. When employees feel cared for and supported, they are more engaged, productive, and loyal, which benefits both the employee and the employer.
