Almost 90% of all employees are stressed by their job
According to the new Candidate Pulse Study 2024 by Michael Page, 89% of job seekers in Switzerland are stressed by their job. Despite this, less than a third of employers (27%) have taken action to address this issue. As a result, employers are missing out on an opportunity to attract and retain talent and increase employee satisfaction.
The Candidate Pulse Study 2024 by Michael Page found that two main factors cause the most work stress among employees: Lack of recognition (38%) and too much work (31%). One in five people (20%) have left their previous job due to stress at work. A further 30 percent stated that they stayed in their job despite stress, but were open to new opportunities outside the company.
Only 27% of employers have taken measures to support their employees. The most common measures are support programs for employees (EAP), telephone support from external specialists (44%) and facilitating discussions with management (44%).
Well-being in the workplace as a key factor
The well-being of employees is an important factor when choosing an employer. A pleasant working environment was either "important" or "very important" for 97 percent of jobseekers. This was followed by offers for mental well-being (79%) and flexible working conditions in terms of time and location (74%).
In the absence of support services, most employees first discussed their problems with stress at work with family and friends and not with colleagues or superiors. If problems are not addressed, there is a risk that they will become known outside the company via review portals or social media. This can exacerbate the challenges that companies face when recruiting.
Loyalty to employers declines
These results are confirmed by other studies by Michael Page. They show that loyalty to the employer has become less important. According to the study "Talent Trends and Social Media" published at the end of 2023, 9 out of 10 Swiss employees who started a new job last year are open to new opportunities. Remote working and access to social media are contributing to this trend. 80 percent of respondents stated that they use LinkedIn for their job search. Half of those surveyed visit these channels daily, often several times.
"Employee retention is strongest in companies where managers take the time to talk to their team members. This gives them the opportunity to address key issues and recognize employees' achievements," says Yannick Coulange, Managing Director, PageGroup Switzerland.
Source: Michael Page
