Year after year, businesses in Quebec are experiencing a decline in productivity related to the poor health of their staff. Chronic illnesses, mental health, dysfunctional presenteeism are some of the challenges faced by employers and the human resources sector. These data are worrying. According to a study published by LifeWorks in partnership with Deloitte, 82% of respondents say they feel mentally tired at the end of each working day and 49% suffer from insomnia.
The deterioration of the mental health of employees also has an impact on the stability of companies both financially and in human terms. In fact, according to the same study, 51% of respondents plan to quit their job, retire or join a smaller organization or one that offers a more favorable work environment. Combined with the labor shortage, the challenge is sometimes insurmountable.
Labor shortage: an additional burden
According to a study published by the BDC, 61% of entrepreneurs who have difficulty recruiting have been forced to increase their working hours and those of their employees. The labor shortage therefore has an impact on the workload of employees, which can increase the number of sick leaves due to burnout.
Currently, government programs offered to companies in terms of quality of work life are segmented and scattered across different ministries. No program allows companies to develop a global vision of the problems and the associated solutions.
The creation of a corporate culture based on health prevention makes employers potentially important partners in public health. However, many do not know how to go about creating a true culture of prevention. The implementation of work-life balance policies, the prevention of psychosocial risks at work and the encouragement to adopt healthy lifestyle habits are some examples. To be effective, however, these initiatives must be viewed from a comprehensive and integrated perspective.
Increase public health budgets
Employers need a range of services and support that allow them to develop an integrated vision of health and well-being at work.
Québec’s expertise and avant-garde positioning in this regard are well established, but there is still a lot of work to be done. Like the measures offered to support sustainable development (such as the Ecoleader Fund), it is now time to develop a global and integrated vision in terms of quality of life at work. The government offer grouped together in a single fund would enable employers, particularly SMEs, to obtain all the support necessary for their full development. Quebec needs this strong leadership to get through the current crisis. Raising public health budgets is essential if we want a society rich in everyone.