4 things employees are stressed about

4 stressors nagging your employees

April 14, 2023 10:43 AM

Despite spring weather signaling a fresh start, many employees are plagued by the same old stressors.

Whether it's the challenge of finding the right therapist, or sharing those struggles at work in the first place, mental health issues continue to be a hardship for many in the workplace. New benefits, like well-being platform Wave Life, are addressing accessibility gaps with technology, but sometimes an in-person touch can really make the difference.

"Using an app is often a very disconnected experience," says Dr. Daniel Selling, a licensed psychologist and owner of Williamsburg Therapy Group. "While therapy can be highly effective virtually, people are seeking real connections and we've seen a big trend of people wanting to be seen in-person over teletherapy."

Employers and employees alike are also feeling the after-effects of the layoffs that have set the tone for the year thus far. To address "survivor's guilt," employers should offer opportunities for peer support, and give employees the space to speak out about workplace fears and frustrations.

Finally, financial stress can take a toll on employee health and well-being. But incorporating financial wellness benefits into an overall well-being strategy helps employees prioritize their whole health. See how it's done, and what other organizations are doing to promote well-being within the workforce, in this week's top stories:

Psychologist reveals what employees need to find the right therapist

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Psychologist reveals what employees need to find the right therapist

The Society for Human Resource Management found that 78% of organizations currently offer or plan to offer mental health benefits this year, yet six out of 10 adults who say their mental health is only fair or poor have not been able to access services, according to a 2022 survey from CNN and the Kaiser Family Foundation. It's likely that many employers do not fully grasp how challenging it is to find the right mental health provider at the right price, so employers should find vendors that provide quality over quantity — and give employees the benefit of free sessions until they find the right match.

"The employer's ability to pay beyond that pays itself back," says Dr. Selling. "Employees and their family members will feel less anxious and find more resolutions for the conflicts in their lives. The consequential increase in engagement and productivity at work pays dividends."

A mental health platform designed with Gen Z in mind

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A mental health platform designed with Gen Z in mind

For Gen Z employees, finding mental health care that resonates with them is a persistent issue. Only 18% of Gen Z individuals currently go to therapy, though 90% say they've experienced symptoms of anxiety, depression, or lack of motivation due to stress, according to the American Psychological Association. Both cost and accessibility are major barriers for any generation seeking care, as nearly half said they would have to stop attending sessions if their costs increased, according to data from Verywell Mind.

"Gen Z is not looking for their parents' therapy," says Dr. Sarah Adler, founder and CEO of Wave Life, a mental health benefit targeted to Gen Z. "What we're hearing is that it's too expensive, or they can't find therapists who understand them or look like them." Wave Life offers coaching, scientifically-backed research, and care navigation if needed to help Gen Z employees manage their stress — straight from their phones.

Dealing with layoff stress: How to stem survivor guilt and more

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Dealing with layoff stress: How to stem survivor guilt and more

Layoffs are hard. They're tough for leaders, HR teams and the employees who lose their jobs. But they're also difficult for the people who stay, writes Cole Egger, co-founder and CEO of mental well-being platform Kindly Human. "Layoff survivor guilt" is what psychologists call the mindset of many people who keep their jobs, but end up feeling bad. Fearful employees tend to be less productive and their performance suffers.

Peer support is a logical first step for employees to feel heard, understood and validated. Support groups, one-to-one conversations and online forums are all resources that can involve trained employees, or they can be outsourced. Employees may feel more comfortable talking candidly to people who work outside of their organization. The ability to speak freely without fear of repercussions is important for a population that may already feel scrutinized and on edge after a workforce shakeup.

Make financial wellness part of your overall well-being strategy

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Make financial wellness part of your overall well-being strategy

As employers look to support employee well-being, winning strategies will recognize that financial offerings can play a major role — especially in addressing the day-to-day needs and stresses of a workforce. Benefits like early wage access, emergency savings accounts, financial wellness advice offerings, paid leave and loan forgiveness can bring immediate relief to employees.

"Financial wellness is a part of an overall wellness strategy," says Assad Lazarus, chief client and development officer at Purchasing Power. "Financial stress impacts [employees'] mental health, their productivity and their engagement. It also impacts DEI. The traditional approach is just not going to hold up."