The majority, or 58%, of employees in the UK, state that good work/life balance is a priority, according to research from HR software firm Personio.

This is compared to 25% of HR leaders who believe that mental health/employee well-being initiatives are a top priority for the HR function over the next 12 months. This highlights a disconnect between the priorities of employees and employers.

At the same time, 15% of HR decision-makers stated that workplace culture initiatives were a priority while 39% of employees say a good workplace culture is a priority for them.

The research also highlights the importance of employee wellbeing and company culture when it comes to talent retention and productivity. Nearly a quarter, or 23%, of employees, say that worsening work/life balance would encourage them to look for a new job if this were to happen in the next six months, and 21% say that a toxic workplace culture would encourage them to look elsewhere.

In terms of productivity, 83% of employees state that a ‘good’ workplace culture helps them to be more productive. Meanwhile, employees say that low levels of motivation and morale (28%) and burnout, from overworking or being ‘always on’ (22%) are the top two factors that negatively impact their productivity.

Ross Seychell, Chief People Officer at Personio, said, “After what has been a very difficult period for employees and businesses alike, these findings highlight how important it is for businesses to prioritize their people’s wellbeing, together with their company’s overall culture. Indeed, as we begin to put the worst of the pandemic behind us, employees will once again feel empowered to assess their employment options and look elsewhere if they feel unsatisfied, whether because they’re burned out, or they don’t feel appreciated”.