IT workers highlighted several concerns as having the biggest impact on their mental health. Nearly two thirds (65.4%) cited worrying about not being able to find a job, with half experiencing financial difficulties. The pandemic has put extra pressure on IT workers, with 38.6% of IT employees feel their work-life balance is worse than a year ago, with a further 47.4% stating working from home as the main reason for this.
Lee Biggins, founder and CEO of CV-Library, said, “The last seven months has been filled with a great amount of uncertainty and it’s understandable that so many IT professionals feel their mental health is suffering. Businesses need to be aware of these challenges and ensure they’re offering support to employees who may be struggling.
“The government has once again recommended that professionals should work from home where possible. While this may be good news for some, those who struggle to find a healthy work-life balance will be dreading the next few months.”
More directly, almost a quarter (23.1%) of IT workers said worrying about the spread of Covid-19 has impacted their mental health. This new study comes a day before World Mental Health Day. The World Health Organisation hosts World Mental Health Day on 10 October every year to raise awareness of mental health, and what can be done to support good mental health for everyone.
Biggins added, “As an employer, you have a duty of care to keep your employees safe and to protect their mental health. It’s vital that you encourage team members to take regular breaks and to only work during their normal hours. You should also consider sharing resources and tips that can make working from home easier. This should enable your employees to safeguard their mental health, and hopefully prevent staff from looking for opportunities elsewhere.”