The silent struggle. Wellbeing worries in the workplace cost businesses US$1 trillion globally

Key statistics:

• Depression and anxiety result in a loss of 12 billion working days globally, costing US$1 trillion in lost productivity every year (WHO)
• A recent Ipsos survey: stress forced nearly 40% of employees to take unplanned leave in the past 12 months
• In the UK, mental health issues are a significant productivity barrier, with nearly 20% of employees affected, leading to increased absenteeism (WHO Workplace Health Report 2023, Champion Health)

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Onboarding: the first step towards employee wellbeing

The first week in a new role is a mix of emotions — a great opportunity for HR professionals and line managers to identify emerging issues.

• 44% of employees say they've had regrets or second thoughts about their job within the first week (BambooHR 2023)
• 25% of newcomers felt overwhelmed to the point of tears in their initial week (BambooHR 2023)
• Nearly 62% of employees say their impressions of their company from the first day are still accurate (BambooHR 2023)

Effective mentorship, clear goal-setting and fostering connections can make all the difference. Proactive pre-boarding — regular check-ins, assigning a buddy, a short microlearning course — can set the right tone.

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The emotional journey continues

It's not just newbies. Even seasoned professionals grapple with emotional highs and lows.

• 50% of employees show burnout signs due to increased job demands and blurred work-life boundaries (MHFA)
• 58% of staff feel they can't discuss their mental health at work (The Harris Poll)

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Zooming out: The bigger picture

• 76% of UK employees experience significant stress levels (Workplace Health Report 2023, Champion Health)
• Toxic environments or unsupportive management have made 1 in 5 employees contemplate quitting (Society of Human Resource Management)
• 41% of staff lack access to employer-provided mental health resources (YouGov) — jumps to 73% for small businesses

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