Last summer, CEO David Risher, executive director of Lyft, a company that competes against Uber in the United States, made headlines by openly stating that he believed that the snacks offered in the office should be reason enough for employees to return happily from teleworking to in-person work.
While this statement may have seemed like a joke in bad taste, many Human Resources experts are now discussing the concept of companies using certain gifts or perks to distract from underlying issues. These so-called “empty measures” are more widespread than ever, compared to initiatives that truly benefit the mental well-being of employees.
The Human Resources Observatory recently held a webinar discussing the concept of “wellbeing washing” and the prevalence of empty gestures in companies that publicly claim to support mental health without providing tangible benefits to their employees. This phenomenon has become more common as awareness around mental health has increased significantly in recent years.
Wellbeing washing is essentially the act of a company appearing to care about well-being without taking real action to support its employees. This can include participating in mental health awareness days, publishing smiling photos of staff on social media, or creating recreational spaces in the office, without addressing the root causes of poor mental health within the organization.
A global study by the McKinsey Health Institute revealed a significant disconnect between how leaders perceive the state of mental health and well-being in their organizations and how employees actually feel. Despite well-intentioned initiatives, many employers lack a systemic approach to addressing mental health issues, leading to the emergence of the concept of “wellbeing washing.”
In reality, employees are more concerned about factors such as salary, flexibility, trust, empowerment, and a caring work environment. Studies have shown that these elements are more effective in retaining employees and fostering a positive work environment than superficial gestures like snacks in the office.
As companies look to prioritize employee well-being and mental health, it is crucial that they move beyond empty measures and focus on creating a supportive and empowering work environment for their staff. This includes addressing the root causes of poor mental health and ensuring that employees feel valued and supported in the workplace.