Most retail workers want ‘more proactive wellbeing support from employers’

A staggering 80 per cent of retail professionals want their company to be more proactive in boosting employee health, wellbeing and healthy habits, states a recent Vape Club report . It also highlights that retail professionals are one of the most likely to work on days when experiencing poor mental health instead of taking sick leave compared to employees in other sectors.

According to the Centre for Retail Research (CRR), nearly 15,000 jobs have been lost in the retail sector so far in 2023, with businesses restructuring operations and cutting costs. Plus, footfall in the high street in 2022 was between 10 and 15 per cent below that of 2019, and the CRR noted it’s possible that it will not ever reach the levels of the late 2010s.

Increasing pressures such as the cost of living crisis, combined with gaps in employer support, are causing an increase in mental and physical health issues for retail employees. A third have experienced increased anxiety over the last year, with 23 per cent citing excessive stress.

The study also found that over a third of retail employees are experiencing significant physical health issues such as back, shoulder and neck pain (37 per cent) –this can be attributed to a lack of sitting during working hours. Also, 26 per cent report insomnia.

Although 26 per cent of employees reported that their employers attempt to actively look after staff wellbeing. A staggering 80 per cent of retail professionals want their company to be more proactive in boosting employee health, wellbeing and healthy habits.

38 per cent of employees think training managers to provide better support is the answer while 33 per cent of workers believe in promoting the use of sick leave when people are struggling with physical or mental health. 26 per cent of employees want training to build skills in stress management.

Retail companies also benefit when contributing to their employees’ health and wellbeing. It leaves 41 per cent feeling more productive at work and 34 per cent more engaged in their role. A third say they’re less likely to seek job opportunities elsewhere (30 per cent).

Richard Holmes, director of wellbeing at Westfield Health, says: “Burnout is a state of emotional, physical and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. Pressure at work is usually the main culprit and when budgets are tight and teams are small, people often find themselves with multiple roles and heavy workloads, piling on the stress.