Employers shouldn’t underestimate the remarkable power of hope, belonging and resilience in the workplace, as it’s key to protecting workers against burnout and job stress, according to a new study.
The latest research from meQuilibrium’s (meQ) found that hope is a powerful positive force that can greatly enhance employee wellbeing. The comprehensive survey of 5,989 adults revealed that hope, defined as a blend of optimism and self-efficacy, effectively shields employees from negativity and pessimism. Hope also mitigates the risks associated with quiet quitting and turnover.
Specifically, employees with the highest levels of hope are 74% less likely to experience burnout, 74% less likely to suffer from anxiety, and 75% less likely to endure depression. Additionally, the most hopeful employees are 33% less likely to consider quiet quitting, and their turnover intent is reduced by 49%.
Resilience emerged as another key factor in combating burnout, stress, quiet quitting, and turnover. The study found that positivity, self-efficacy, and problem-solving skills enhance hope-driven, goal-oriented behaviour by 50-85%. Employees with high resilience levels demonstrated over 70% reductions in anxiety, depression, and burnout compared to their less resilient counterparts, noted the study.
IMPACT ON EMPLOYEE WELLBEING
Belonging also plays a significant role in employee wellbeing. A strong sense of belonging reduces the risks of burnout by 10.1%, anxiety by 19.9%, and depression by 19.9%. However, only 50.6% of surveyed employees reported feeling a strong connection with their colleagues.
Managers are pivotal in promoting employee wellbeing. The study found that 84.1% of employees with robust managerial support feel respected and valued by their teammates, in contrast to only 53% of those with weak managerial support.
“Our study identified resilience as the key driver of hope,” said Dr Brad Smith, Chief Science Officer at meQuilibrium. “The data show that it’s not just about resilience in general, but specific cognitive traits such as positivity, self-efficacy, and problem-solving that foster a strong sense of hope. Organisations that nurture these traits can achieve significant improvements in employee wellbeing.”
This study, “along with our previous research, consistently demonstrates the essential roles of resilience and effective managers in creating a thriving workforce”, Dr Smith added. “By recognising hope and belonging as powerful elements that enhance employee well-being, engagement, productivity, and retention, it’s imperative that organisations empower their employees with these attributes. This will enable them to better handle stress, overcome challenges, and find meaning in their work.”
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