A statistical analysis from over 4300 wellbeing consultations in the workplace in 2019 and 2020
It won’t be a surprise for anyone to learn that workplace wellbeing has taken a significant ‘hit’ due to Covid. Mental health charities and professional organisations have spoken about it and both our own data and Deloittes’ confirms it too.
Our statistical comparisons come directly from the anonymised results of 4373 individuals undertaking scientifically proven, neuroscience-based, online wellbeing consultations with Cari.
These consultations were undertaken by a wide range of people, working within public and private sector organisations in the UK, in the second half of 2019 (pre-Covid) and between March to October 2020 (during Covid).
Wellbeing Levels Pre-Covid
Sadly wellbeing wasn’t in a great place before Covid.
In the second half of 2019, we measured the wellbeing levels of several thousand public sector workers and published this in our Brain States in the Public Sector Report in February 2020.
Back then we were shocked to see that:
- 46% of people were operating at a low ‘reactive’ level of wellbeing
- 22% were injured or ill and
- only 32% were presenting as ‘healthy’ (with a wellbeing score of 75% +) and
- Employees brains were functioning at a 57% capability score – directly impacting performance at work in terms of reduced problem solving, decision-making effectiveness, team co-operation and creativity.
But what is a good brain capacity score?
For people to be working at optimal levels, we estimate that brain capacity or performance scores need to mirror wellbeing levels in achieving 75% or more. Over 75% is good as we are able to access our executive functions as our prefrontal cortex is available, socially engage and also quieten our thinking to be creative.
So imagine how it must be now with the impact of Covid.
Wellbeing Levels During Covid
From the results of all the Cari consultations conducted between March and October 2020 we can see that:
- 37% of people are operating at a low ‘reactive’ level of wellbeing
- Almost 40% are injured or ill and
- only 26% are presenting as ‘healthy’ (with a wellbeing score of 75% +) and
- Employee brains were functioning at a 56% capability score – further decreasing performance at work.
What we have seen between 2019 and 2020 is:
- a decrease in ‘healthy’ levels of wellbeing by 6% – so that now only 26% of our workforce are actually fit for work!
- wellbeing levels dropping in the ‘reactive’ category, but rather than being a positive impact, this is due to an increase for both the ‘ill’ and ‘injured’ categories. The ‘ill’ level has increased by 2% and ‘injured’ has increased by 13%. Although the ‘ill’ quartile/ category has risen by only 2% actually it is 3x what it was, so a small number but a very worrying increase.
Deloittes’ Covid Findings
In May 2020, the Deloittes Working during Lockdown survey aimed to determine how working from home during lockdown has impacted worker wellbeing and productivity. The survey data pool consisted of 1,321 UK workers.
The initial findings included the statistic that 38% of workers said lockdown has had a negative impact on wellbeing. Due to furlough, job security, home schooling, fear of illness, loneliness and stress.
What do each of these levels of wellbeing look like?
Additional data from our research
The above graph provides a comparison between 2019 and 2020 for three categories, brain capacity, stress management and work life peacefulness. Pink represents 2019, while blue represents 2020. The only good news is that people are finding working from home more ‘peaceful’ and they are managing to cope better with stress.
Wellbeing and Organisational Cultures
We have also seen a change in organisational cultures. In February organisations were generally presenting as ‘Vampire” cultures. This means that behaviours were reactive and negative, and without taking robust action this usually gets worse. The quality of workplace relationships are under enormous strain.
We advised in February 2020 that this kind of culture, just like low wellbeing individual scores, do not spontaneously ‘get better’. They require changes to take place that increase the sense of safety felt within the organisation.
Covid has not allowed any such strategies to take hold, and consequently, with the best will in the world we are seeing cultures becoming ‘corrupting’ or ‘freezing’. In other words, people are likely to take measures (whatever they can) to survive, even if that means being economical with truth. Many will find their brain’s just fogging up; literal brain shut down.
Currently cultures are moving into Zombie states – which is not the positive message we want to be receiving so close to Christmas.
(Read more about How to change workplace Vampires into Angels and improve wellbeing and performance.)
How much is poor mental health costing businesses?
The graphics below display the overall costs that poor mental health has on both private and public sector businesses in 2017 compared to 2020.
Thriving at Work Report – Stats from Government in 2017
Data from 3 years ago said that the annual cost to employers of poor employee mental health was between £1119 and £1481 per person per year.
Deloittes figures from January 2020
In 2020, the Deloittes report – Mental health and employers: refreshing the case for investment said the overall cost for poor employee mental health is averaged at £1652 per person per year in the private sector and £1716 in the public sector.
Across both sectors presenteeism is the largest contributing cost (i.e. coming to work despite poor health and underperforming), followed by absenteeism and staff turnover.
So, supporting your staff now is vital for improving wellbeing, increasing productivity and building a resilient business culture. Wellbeing IS performance.
Free Employee Wellbeing Consultations & Support with Cari
Cari provides confidential, neuroscience based, online wellbeing consultations and real-time, personalised support plans for all your people, as often as needed.
Importantly, she connects individuals to the right people for more help if they need it.
She is scientifically proven to boost performance. She helps your business to proactively raise wellbeing levels and productivity – while reducing stress on your HR team and the significant costs of poor mental health, as well as enabling you to meet your duty of care.
Find out more about Cari – and why not have a free consultation with Cari yourself? What do you think your wellbeing score is?
You may also like reading:
- How to change workplace vampires into angels – Improving wellbeing and performance
- How can an organisation demonstrate its duty of care for mental wellbeing?
- Can your relationship with an online AI wellbeing consultant improve your mental health?
- Does an EAP satisfy your duty of care for mental health to your employees? Here’s the brain science…
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