The challenge of change fatigue on workplace mental health

Abstract

Purpose

Change and “change fatigue” were contributing to a spectrum of workplace issues – from extreme stress and burnout – to rising mental health issues even before the impact of COVID-19. This paper aims to examine why identifying mental and behavioral health issues had become a top priority for some employers and explore the negative impacts mental health issues present to organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

To gain this additional insight and data, meQuilibrium partnered with Employer Health Innovation Roundtable (EHIR) to hold a series of four workshops and focus groups, in the Fall of 2019 with 37 participating EHIR members representing large employers. The authors also gathered data through a short survey instrument. The discussions and the survey focused on the current mental and behavioral health challenges being faced by their organizations and what innovations are being put in place or will need to be put in place as part of a future integrated workforce strategy.

Findings

A key, and foundational, finding was that among these human resource (HR) leaders there was a view shared by 97% of survey respondents that the workplace was facing a greater mental health challenge than previously. Hundred per cent of participants agreed that the success of a workplace mental health solution will now require highly personalized, whole-person care across the full range of problems from mild to severe and will need to include not just the employee but also their spouse/partner and children.

Originality/value

While identifying mental and behavioral health issues had become a top priority for some employers even before the pandemic, meQuilibrium believed there was a need for more clarity as to how the HR professionals were viewing the urgency of the situation. This study examines key stakeholders in their organizations, the effectiveness of their current solutions and what new approaches to employee mental health they were considering. This paper includes original data compiled through workshops and focus groups.

Citation

Bruce, J. and English, L. (2020), "The challenge of change fatigue on workplace mental health", Strategic HR Review, Vol. 19 No. 5, pp. 199-203. https://doi.org/10.1108/SHR-07-2020-0067