COMMENT By the very nature of the conversations, there are plenty of anonymous quotes throughout this week’s wellbeing section. But you don’t need to know names for the messages to hit home.
A year after EG’s first mental health survey revealed just how badly many real estate professionals struggle with their wellbeing, the topic has taken on even greater significance. The impact of the pandemic on businesses and working practices have put huge pressure on workers. This year’s survey shows just how tough that pressure has been.
We know these have historically been difficult topics to talk about. You will hear in these pages from real estate workers opening up about their struggles and the ways in which, for example, working from home has helped or hindered their sense of wellbeing.
You will also read the stories of workers made redundant during the recent rounds of job cuts – and the ways in which they wish their employers had better supported them during such a life-changing event.
Our survey suggests that individual companies and real estate as an industry are getting better at approaching the topic of mental health.
Most survey respondents said that their employer has made strides in this area compared to a year ago. The pandemic will have made that a necessity. The mission now must be to keep the topic high up on boardroom agendas when – if? – we make it to that long-awaited new normal.
Speaking of the boardroom, not all of the commentary in these stories is anonymous, and the names of the individuals who have spoken to us about this topic will be known to you all. Some of the top bosses in the real estate industry have spoken with us about lessons learned during crises of years gone by, as well as how they have adapted their companies’ wellbeing strategies to work during lockdown, when they are arguably more needed than ever before.
That’s more proof, if it was needed, of how high up the agenda wellbeing and mental health have risen.
When you hear Grainger’s Helen Gordon, SEGRO’s David Sleath or Avison Young’s Jason Sibthorpe all talk passionately and compassionately about supporting staff and taking their wellbeing as a matter of utmost importance, you realise that real estate is finally having the conversation around mental health that its workforce has long needed. Here’s to plenty more talk – and a lot more action.
To send feedback, e-mail tim.burke@egi.co.uk or tweet @_tim_burke or @estatesgazette
