- Easing of lockdown restrictions and return to offices raises stress levels further
- Jump in those concerned about their mental health compared to before the pandemic
- Many are concerned about their mental health for the first ever time
- Job security and not being able to switch off – top causes
London, June 10 2020 - The easing of lockdown restrictions and a return to offices is raising the stress levels of over a quarter of UK tech professionals (26%) at a time when over 1 in 3 (36%) report that their mental health has deteriorated during Covid-19, finds a new Harvey Nash Study.
The easing of lockdown restrictions has left tech professionals worrying most about bringing Covid-19 back into the home, and the health risk of their daily commute.
Those tech professionals (60%) that have been/are concerned about their mental health has risen 16% from before the pandemic - this rise is equivalent to an increase of almost 200,000 of the UK’s tech workforce[1].
These findings are published in a new study by global technology recruiter, Harvey Nash, in association with This Can Happen, the world’s largest online workplace mental health conference. The survey of 1,600 UK technology professionals comprised of – a wider survey prior to the Covid-19 global crisis, and then a Pulse Survey[2] during the crisis to measure the mental wellness of UK Tech’s workforce in lockdown.
Other key findings include:
- Concerned about mental health for the first ever time - Of those people (27%) actively concerned about their mental wellbeing now, 35% say this is the first ever time they have been concerned.
- For 1 in 10 the stress they’re feeling is negatively impacting on their work - This is almost twice as likely to apply to permanent workers as to IT contractors.
- IT roles under most pressure - Those in Project/Programme Management or IT Operational roles, who were under most strain to rapidly move large workforces into remote/virtual environments, have seen their mental health affected the most. Prior to the crisis, 1 in 5 workers[3] in IT Operations were concerned about their mental health, but this has risen to around 1 in 3 as a result of Covid-19.
Help and support…
Although 56% of companies have increased the level of personal/emotional/home working support provided during the crisis, half still don’t provide formal support for mental health issues. This is having a significant impact, with three quarters (75%) of those working for unsupportive companies being either concerned about their mental health now or in the past. This drops by a quarter amongst very supportive companies. Staff at unsupportive companies are also more likely to have seen their mental health deteriorate during lockdown.
Chris Seel, a Director at Harvey Nash Group, said:
“Our research reveals the extent of the mental health challenge facing the tech sector – and, by extension, the whole of the UK business community. The ramifications of the Covid-19 pandemic are far-reaching and people are already feeling the strain, many of them for the first time. Whilst it’s encouraging that the majority of businesses have increased the levels of support they provide, there remains much further to go.
Employers are frequently good at introducing informal support mechanisms such as online resources or voluntary networks, but providing formal support such as counselling is harder to do and costlier as well. With staff having moved to remote working – and likely to spend more time working remotely on an ongoing basis – the task becomes more difficult still. With less face-to-face contact, it is harder for managers to pick up on the signs that someone is struggling. Individuals are less likely to reach out for support if that first, immensely difficult conversation needs to be by phone or video call. Mental health support becomes much more difficult at the time when it is needed most.”
Zoe Sinclair, Co-Founder, This Can Happen, added:
“It’s encouraging to see that 56% of companies have increased the level of personal and emotional support to their employees. However, at such an uncertain time we believe that this figure should be much higher as looking after your employees’ mental health should be a top priority for all businesses.”
Switching off in an ‘Always on’ world
Prior to the crisis Harvey Nash discovered that the single highest cause of stress was the perennial issue of being short of staff, however during the crisis, the top three causes changed markedly to:
- Not having any time to personally switch off (46%)
- Worrying about losing their job (41%)
- ‘Always on’ technology (33%)
Around a third of those tech professionals with children also reported that caring for/home schooling children is one of the main causes of their stress. With schools only opening up for a limited number of children in June, this issue is likely to continue for most.
In general, the Harvey Nash study found that you’re more likely to see your mental health deteriorate during Covid-19 if:
- You’re working, rather than furloughed
- You have a family
- You work more than 50+ hours a week
- You work for an unsupportive company
Coping strategies…a quarter have turned to alcohol.
To help cope with enforced isolation and rising work and personal/family pressures, almost a quarter (24%) of tech professionals have increased their consumption of alcohol. At the same time, other popular coping strategies include – increasing exercise levels (63%), dedicating more time to a hobby/past-time (53%), and a fifth have either practised mindfulness/yoga or other meditative activity, or sought counsel from friends and family.
The Midlands is hit the hardest
Regionally, those in the Midlands (46%) and the South East (38%) are most likely to have seen a deterioration in their mental wellbeing.
Chris Seel, a Director at Harvey Nash Group, concluded:
“In these challenging times for individuals and businesses, and with conditions likely to be difficult for months or even years ahead, there is a real risk that mental health could continue to deteriorate. That is why now is the time for businesses to act and do everything they can to get the right support in place. Mental health support is not a one-time fix – it needs to be continually reviewed and refreshed. It needs to be high up the executive agenda and have senior backing. Failure to respond to what is evolving in front of us now could lead to much bigger problems further down the line.”
You can access the full report here.
-ENDS-
Media Contacts:
David Pippett
ProServ PR
david@proservpr.com
+44 (0) 7899 798197
About the Harvey Nash Study
Harvey Nash surveyed 1,600 UK technology professionals – a wider survey prior to the Covid-19 global crisis (over 1200), and then a Pulse Survey during the crisis (almost 400) to measure the mental wellness of UK Tech’s workforce in lockdown compared to prior to the pandemic.
About Harvey Nash
Shaping your tomorrow
We are global leaders in technology recruitment, delivering solutions that connect organisations with the very best talent – from software developers to business transformation leaders.
With over 30 years’ experience and global reach, we have an unparalleled knowledge and capability in all areas of technology.
www.harveynash.com
Harvey Nash is part of Harvey Nash Group, a global professional services organisation with three key areas of focus: Technology recruitment, IT solutions and Leadership services.
We partner with clients, helping them unlock the power of individual and team talent.
www.harveynashgroup.com
What is This Can Happen?
This Can Happen is the largest gathering of companies across the world, coming together to tackle workplace mental health. We support employers and employees across the world to create a positive environment for good mental health in the workplace.
Everything we do is solutions-led. Building on our London conference our global online event (23-25 November) provides delegates with relevant answers to a range of mental health topics, our Awards celebrate excellence in mental health strategies and our networking events enable likeminded individuals to meet and learn with their peers.
We provide free to access online resources - including videos, podcasts and research – around workplace mental health:
https://www.thiscanhappenevents.com/resources
Our virtual conference, This Can Happen 2020, takes place 23-25 November 2020. You can find out more as well as buy tickets here:
https://www.thiscanhappenevents.com/conference/online-event
[1] The UK government calculates there are 1.3 million jobs in technology in the UK (Source: ONS). With 60% of the UK’s tech professionals concerned about their mental health either in the past or right now, rising 16% from before the pandemic, this is an equivalent rise of almost 200,000 (180,000) of the UK’s tech workforce concerned about their mental health.
[2] The Harvey Nash Pulse Survey was conducted between 22nd May – 3rd June 2020 – week’s 10 & 11 of the Covid-19 UK lockdown.
[3] The 1 in 5 in IT Operations concerned about their mental health reported this in the last quarter of 2019 - prior to the first case of Covid-19.
