Against an uncertain backdrop for 2024, which included inflationary markets and a tense presidential election, workers largely express feeling disconnected and distressed in the workplace.
According to Alight’s latest Workforce and Wellbeing Mindset Study, while 45% of people rate their employee experience as “great” or “awesome,” less than half of report a positive state of wellbeing.
High stress levels are impacting 17% of workers, while 52% say their stress levels are “moderate.” While even earners breaking six figures in salary reported high stress (16%), Baby Boomers nearing retirement (42%) say they are less stressed compared to Gen Z workers (26%).
More women than men also say they have experienced burnout (48% vs. 36%), while younger workers are likelier to experience symptoms of burnout. Baby Boomers were likely to have no symptoms of burnout.
Overall, a greater number of employees say their employer today “expects too much” out of them (39%), and they no longer “desire to produce top quality work” in their role (29%). Thirty percent of workers surveyed say their employer has lost their trust in wellbeing efforts.
Alight says the disconnect could be linked to a lack of workplace employee benefits. As reported by Alight, workers enrolled in employer-sponsored health plans report greater workplace experiences (55% vs. 43%), wellbeing (50% more than the general population), and more confidence in their benefits decisions.
Employers can help slightly alleviate burnout symptoms by offering helpful benefits tools to employees, notes Alight. More than one-third (35%) of workers whose employer provides a mobile benefits platform with navigation assistance say they have no symptoms of burnout, compared to 30% of workers at other employers.
Alight also surveyed employees on their value for each program. Among the top benefits programs valued by workers included telehealth (67%), reimbursement for working remotely (67%), stress management programs (67%), mental and emotional health apps (67%), and women’s health initiatives (67%).
Alight’s research highlights how employees who feel “fully supported,” with access to wellbeing programs, websites, and health and financial navigation support, are likelier be happier and more confident in their workplace. Seventy-three percent of fully supported workers say they feel like they have the power and resources to improve their health and wellbeing, compared to 46% of non-supported employees. Similarly, 74% of those who are fully supported trust their employer to support them during a wellbeing challenge, compared to 44% of non-supported employees.
Additional insights from Alight’s 2024 Workforce and Wellbeing Mindset Study can be found here.
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Amanda Umpierrez is the Managing Editor of 401(k) Specialist magazine. She is a financial services reporter with over six years of experience and a passion for telling stories and reporting news. Amanda received her degree in journalism and government and politics at St. John’s University. She is originally from Queens, New York, but now resides in Denver, Colorado with her partner. In her free time, Amanda enjoys running, cooking, and watching the latest drama show.
