Retailers have been urged to improve workplace wellbeing after a new report by retail industry charity The Retail Trust found that poor mental health is causing nearly one third (31%) of retail call centre staff and 29% of Gen Z workers to take time off work.
The survey of more than 1,300 retail workers, published within its new Health of Retail found one in six (17%) have missed at least a day of work due to poor mental health this year, with call centre staff and younger workers twice as likely to have called in sick. Nearly three quarters (71%) of all retail employees surveyed said that mental health issues are also causing them to underperform at work.
More mental health training, improving workplace cultures and providing staff with more self-help tools to manage and measure their wellbeing are some of the recommendations included in the Retail Trust’s health of retail report.
It follows the Retail Trust’s Retail People Index from his summer with global consulting firm AlixPartners, which found that half of retail employees are also at risk of quitting their jobs after Christmas due to declining wellbeing over the autumn and winter months.
Chris Brook-Carter, chief executive of the Retail Trust, said: “Retail is the largest employer outside the public sector, so these findings have profound implications for the UK workforce. Many retailers are already taking important steps to address poor mental wellbeing within their organisations but more clearly still needs to be done and especially for those most affected, like younger workers and call centre staff.
“While retail employers may not be responsible for causing their staff’s mental health issues, they are paying the price in absenteeism and underperformance.”
With the root cause of many colleagues’ struggles starting beyond the boundaries of work, the workplace should be a place where they can thrive. Building a culture where colleagues have a sense of belonging and feel they have skin in the game can provide a substantial wellbeing boost.
For more details visit the website www.retailtrust.org.uk
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