In March 2022, nonfarm unemployment fell to 3.6%, according to the Department of Labor Statistics, from a rate of 4.6% in October 2021.
Job loss and unemployment can create a great deal of personal family stress and job stress for our workers. The above figures do not reflect the reality on the ground. They do not account for the millions of people who have potentially given up looking for a job.
For those who continue to work, the work environment is not always rosy.
Employers often have the upper hand in employer-employee relationships. Employers may feel free to increase work hours and/or duties and decrease benefits or vacation time.
This situation can create a great deal of stress even for those who keep their jobs. The employer’s attitude is often, “If you don’t like your job, there’s someone in line who will take it.”
According to the Harvard Business Review, more employees are leaving their jobs for mental health reasons, including those caused by workplace factors like overwhelming and untenable work.
Already staggeringly high, 2019 attrition rates have risen even higher: 68% of millennials and 81% of Gen Z have left their jobs for mental health reasons, both voluntarily and involuntarily.
This 2019 study showed the same prevalence of mental health symptoms at all seniority levels, debunking the myth that successful leaders are immune. The most common factor was emotionally draining, stressful, overwhelming, boring, or monotonous work, which has worsened since the pandemic.
Another reason was work-life balance. The other workplace factors were poor communication practices and a low sense of connection or support from colleagues or managers.
The challenges of the pandemic have led to further employee burnout. 5.6% of working Americans will experience a short-term disability (6 months or less) due to illness, injury, or pregnancy on average each year.
When working with patients and completing short- or long-term disability paperwork, the focus is often on the return-to-work date rather than the employee’s disability or mental health issue. It is very frustrating for patients and providers, and many employees are seriously considering leaving their jobs due to lack of support from employers and others involved in their care or benefits.
Which is the answer?
- Support employee mental health
- Encourage employees to take advantage of basic benefits, such as a 4-day workweek or additional time off.
- Discourage negative outcomes, such as labeling employees “too emotional” or overlooking promotions or micromanaging behavior from supervisors.
- Replace toxic work cultures with one of openness, understanding and education.
- Provide preventative training to supervisors and managers to enhance and increase employee knowledge and understanding of mental health.
- Create awareness. Employees need the tools and resources available and know how to access them.
Hard working people must understand that their efforts are of great value in supporting the lives of their loved ones and providing them with a secure future, even if they are never promoted or praised for their efforts. Your hard work is a noble and honorable undertaking and should be treated as such by the rest of society.
Hard work is the root of our country’s success and should not be ridiculed or demeaned. Working people should feel proud of what they do, since it defines them as people and it is a very valuable trait both on a personal level and for society as a whole.
— Sandi Y. Squicquero M.Ed,.LPC, is a licensed professional counselor who works at the Center for Medical Hypnosis and Counseling at 1180 Main St., Suite 5B in Windsor. She has over 30 years of counseling experience and is board certified in medical hypnosis.
