Prithi, 27, is a graphic designer with an MNC in Bengaluru, and she spends her working time doing the bare minimum of what is required of her and the rest of her time doing look for a new job. She has little to no interest in her current role and feels that getting a new job could disrupt the status quo. Prithi is among the company’s many young employees who experience high levels of disengagement at work. New data from a global consulting and analytics firm, reveals that 54% of Gen them, the Boomers generation. The office is an ideal space that must be full of energy, the echo of new ideas, the desire for growth and bound together by a collective sense of purpose and mission. However, leaders and CHROs instead struggle with employees who come to work because they have to work without motivation, purpose, or joy. This World Mental Health Day, let us pause and try to understand this worrying trend, the reasons behind it and what can be done to reverse it. Poor work culture, economic climate leads to disengagement Social media has dubbed this workplace trend “The Great Uncoupling.” Viewed from a wellbeing lens, this trend appears to be more a symptom of poorly managed workplace wellbeing than the problem itself. Younger workers value mental health, self-care and work-life balance, and disengagement occurs when these values are not supported at work. work. Growing dissatisfaction with work culture, leadership and the current economic climate also contributes to a disengaged workforce. The younger workforce is not lazy or looking for ways to hide. They prioritize their mental health and appreciate openness and dialogue around it. They practice self-care, believe in setting boundaries and balancing work and life. These are all healthy habits and should be encouraged in the workplace to promote creativity, innovation, growth and success. Detachment begins to appear when working culture and practices do not support the mental health and wellbeing of employees. Leaders are listening Workplace wellbeing has come into sharp focus during the COVID pandemic as employees have begun to prioritize their health as much, if not more, as success and ambition their profession. Do you remember the great resignation? Although employee health awareness has increased in recent years, challenges remain. Bring joy back to the office To reverse the Great Detachment, or at least put the brakes on it, we need to proactively focus on employee wellbeing. This can be done by building sustainable and customized wellness programs that can be integrated into work culture instead of adopting a reactionary approach. And help is around the corner. Technology can play a key role in delivering consistent and effective healthcare solutions, enabling personalized care for a diverse and geographically spread workforce. To nurture and retain an engaged workforce, often spread across geographies, we need to make work less transactional. Organizations need to integrate wellbeing into their culture by promoting social connection in the workplace, ensuring transparency and providing inspirational leadership to create and retain a workforce happy move. (Author: Prakriti Poddar is a mental health expert and advocate, and Global Director of Mental Health at Roundglass Living App)
