Claire Harnett and Dr. Sarah Kieran from Kemmy Business School, University of Limerick and Mark Doyle, Chief Executive of OMT Global
Employee burnout is a growing problem among the Irish workforce, with female workers most at risk during this coronavirus crisis.
A new survey of 590 employees and business leaders reveals that 60% of employees in Ireland are feeling more stressed since the onset of Covid-19, with 67% of women reporting increased levels of stress compared with 45% of men. In addition, almost half (49%) of women find it difficult to balance work and home life compared with 35% of men.
However, some 37% of senior managers reported that employee quality of life was better since the onset of Covid-19.
Disconnected
Over half (51%) of all employees reported feeling less connected to their teams. This is supported by managers, 50% of whom report that their employees feel less connected to their teams. Employees and managers express concerns that the social aspect of work will significantly diminish going forward impacting team motivation, engagement and, critically, the opportunities to collaborate that are vital to meeting the commercial challenges business face right now.
The survey, carried out by the Department of Work and Employment Studies at the University of Limerick, on behalf of OMT Global, found 48% of managers reported that employees are disconnected from the organisation. Managers also highlighted their own need for support on how to manage wellbeing of their team members as they seek tools and techniques to help enhance wellbeing, motivation and morale.
Leaders need to get real about the impact that Covid-19 is having on their workforce
The findings indicate a clear preference for blended working arrangements in the future with 69% of employees indicating that they would prefer a blend of working from home and being onsite. 86% of Managers also recognised that this is the option that their employees want. Some 61% of employees, however, are concerned about their safety in returning to the workplace.
Mark Doyle, chief executive of OMT Global said the findings "are a wake-up call for senior leaders as the stress levels being experienced by employees, particularly female employees - are not sustainable".
"Leaders need to get real about the impact that Covid-19 is having on their workforce, and they need to engage directly with employees to better understand how they can be supported during these exceptional times," he said.
Claire Harnett, lecturer and PhD scholar at the Kemmy Business School, UL said: “The survey highlighted the important role that line managers play in the sense of value and loyalty that employees feel. In order to prevent further disconnect from the organisation, the needs of line managers need to be met so that they can feel confident in managing teams remotely. “
