Surveys on the Extent of Employee Anxiety During Coronavirus
Recent surveys confirm employee anxiety during coronavirus is still rising. With the loss of Canadian income and employment both anxiety and alcohol consumption are on the rise.
The global COVID-19 pandemic is a major contributing factor for anxiety and overconsumption in the workforce. In these times of uncertainty, it is paramount that employers do what they can to protect the health and wellbeing of not only their own families but also employees and their families.
Workers’ Mental Health
at an All-Time Low
A number of surveys confirm that Canadian workers’ mental health has reached an all-time low. The surveys were conducted to look at employee anxiety during coronavirus and to help us understand the ongoing impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on employees’ mental health as well as possible substance abuse.
All studies have concluded unsettling, yet predictable data pertaining to the negative influences on the mental health of Canadian workers due to the coronavirus.
According to the results of one survey, Canadians are experiencing:
- Negative Mental Health Issues (81%)
- Moderate to Severe Anxiety (26%)
- Loneliness – Occasionally or Most of the Time (23%)
Employees with jobs that that are at high risk because of the coronavirus also tend to have higher levels of anxiety as compared to employees that are not at risk for contact with coronavirus.
In addition, lack of job security and the uncertainty of employment are also negatively affecting the mental health of employees. Employees’ anxiety during coronavirus are at moderate to severe levels for Canadians who have lost their jobs or can no longer work as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Binge Drinking & Alcohol Consumption
A survey performed by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health questioned respondents about their alcohol consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic. Almost 25% admitted to binge drinking at least once on a weekly basis.
If you are an employer that offers your staff employee benefits, you can customize your Benefits Plan Design and offer additional support to your staff by implementing an Employee Assistance Program.
Adding this program will provide employees and their family members with immediate and confidential help. It will assist them in addressing employee anxiety during coronavirus and overcoming the above noted negative influences they may be experiencing.
Stress, anxiety, depression, and substance abuse are only a few of the areas the Employee Assistance Program helps individuals overcome. It also includes but is not limited to a variety of other support services such as:
- Overcoming relationship conflict
- Weight management,
- Legal clarity
- And much more
The Employee Family Assistance Program can be added to any benefit plan by the employer and is completely confidential.
We Are Here to Help
Is your workforce struggling with employee anxiety during coronavirus? Would you like to learn more about how you, as an employer, can help them and their families by adding the Employee Family Assistance Program to their employee benefits program?
If you already have an employee benefits program but feel you need to explore other options, or if you need help designing a benefits plan that better fits your budget and your employee’s needs, we can help.
Benefit Strategies Inc. is located in Edmonton Alberta and has be serving businesses throughout the Western Provinces, the Yukon, and the Northwest Territories for more than four decades.
Give us a call today at 1-780-437-5070 or email us.
