Mental Health and Wellbeing in the Workplace
The statistics are enough to to tell us that mental health New Zealand should be an area of great concern with one in three Kiwis say that they are experiencing poor levels of mental health and emotional wellbeing. (1)
When it comes to the workplace, specifically in the advertising industry where heavy workloads and client driven deadlines are the norm, the stats are cause for concern with 40% of respondents report often being stressed at work with 25% saying that their work is having a negative impact on their mental health. (2)
70% of respondents say they have experienced burnout in the last 12 months with people experiencing increased levels of anxiety since 2022. It is worth noting that the group experiencing the highest levels of anxiety are the under 29’s. (3)
As the topic of wellbeing becomes part of our vernacular, employees, especially the younger generation, are reprioritising from seeing work as the centre of their worlds towards considering what else in their lives has value and meaning, i.e. seeking more work life balance. “Quiet Quitting” in addition to absenteeism and loss of staff from burnout has a huge impact on efficiency and productivity.
Many agencies are addressing the issues by making a shift to a culture that fosters a more supportive workplace where mental health is openly discussed and encourages employees to ask for help. Flexible working arrangement such as remote work options and flexible hours are often offered to staff to manage mental health.
An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) can also be a valuable resource for agencies to support their employee’s mental health, promote a positive work environment, and enhance organisational effectiveness and can provide employees with a personal plan and direct contact to support.
The Comms Council conducted a review of solution providers evaluating thier offering, reporting practices, and associated costs. In conclusion, the Comms Council recommend Sonder as a third party solution provider and have negotiated great rates for our members.
Sources: (1) Stats New Zealand, (2) The global DEI Census 2023, (3) Never Not Creative Mental Survey 2024
