Well-being is improving, but the situation of every fifth employee is deeply unsustainable

Every fifth colleague in the sector suffers from a stress level which may be harmful to their health. As of yet, no satisfactory solution has been achieved. Finding solutions can and must be prioritised by employers. And we are more than ready to collaborate on this.

Our most recent survey shows a rather large difference between companies. It shows that you can actually do something in the individual company. That leadership and concrete initiatives matter for well-being and for stress. 

Overall, well-being is actually improving. We need to bring forward and learn from the good examples and initiatives. Not just for inspiration and encouragement, but to send a very clear signal to employers that they must take the problem and further needed efforts for a sustainable working life very seriously. 

Stress is placing huge financial strain on our society. The Danish Economic Council of the Labour Movement’s most recent determination of the cost is DKK 55 billion. And even more importantly: it has personal consequences for those affected, and for colleagues and families. 

Therefore, we should be pleased to see that something is working. Even so, the message remains clear: We are very far from the finish line. We need to bring forward every stress-reducing initiative out there instead of treating them as trade secrets.