Pleasanteeism, the pressure to put on a brave face, is affecting 84% of IT/ telecoms workers and having a significant impact on productivity in the sector.
Research from Lime Global has found that 74% of employees have taken time off work due to feeling like they must put on a brave face, with workers taking an average 3.85 days off per year due to the phenomenon.
Workers are also feeling the impact on their quality of work with 26% of those in the industry suffering from pleasanteeism admitting that they have been unable to concentrate at work or had an unproductive day.
Several factors are contributing to people feeling this way, in particular, 26% worry about money and the rising cost of living, 25% feel isolated or lonely, while 23% admit to being stressed at work.
Lime found that 62% of IT/Telecoms workers surveyed revealed that their expectations of their employer to support their mental health are higher now than they were before the pandemic.
Shaun Williams, CEO & Founder, Lime Global Ltd, commented: “After two years of stress and anxiety caused by the pandemic, concerns over health and wellbeing are understandably on the rise among IT/telecoms workers.
“It’s therefore vital that companies act to offer each one of their employees as much support as possible. Not only is it the right thing to do, but amid a backdrop of economic uncertainty, low productivity and staff shortages, it will be crucial to help drive down absenteeism and protect businesses’ bottom lines.”