Employee Psychological Support Has a Very High ROI
Investing in the psychological well-being of employees is not only an ethical act, but it represents a business strategy with an extremely high return on investment (ROI). Studies show that companies that offer psychological support to their workers obtain concrete benefits in terms of productivity, reduced absenteeism and improved working climate.
The Cost of Mental Health at Work
Psychological problems such as stress, anxiety, burnout and depression have a direct impact on work performance. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression and anxiety cost the global economy approximately 1 trillion dollars in lost productivity each year.
Major costs for companies caused by poor employee mental health:
- Absenteeism: people are absent more frequently due to stress-related illnesses.
- Presenteeism: employees are physically present, but less productive due to mental fatigue.
- High turnover: dissatisfied workers look for other opportunities, increasing recruitment and training costs.
- Lower creativity and innovation: mental well-being affects problem-solving and collaboration skills.
The World Health Organization estimates that for every $1 invested in psychological support programs, companies get a return of about $4-5 in terms of increased productivity and lower costs related to personnel management. Not to mention the indirect effect on the quality of the work environment, which acts as a driving force even for workers who do not directly benefit from psychological support.
Increased Productivity
A Harvard Business Review study found that employees who have access to psychological support improve their efficiency by 12-15%. When people feel supported, they work better and with more motivation.
For example, consulting firms that have introduced a psychological support program have seen an average reduction in hours lost due to stress of 30% annually.
Reducing Absenteeism
According to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, companies that invest in mental health programs can reduce absences from work by up to 25%.
Some data:
The UK loses around 17 million working days a year to stress-related illnesses.
Companies that have implemented mental health support programs have seen a 20-30% drop in absenteeism.
Reducing Turnover
Psychological support helps employees feel valued and motivated, reducing the need to change jobs. Some data:
- 75% of resignations are related to stress and burnout.
- Offering psychological support can reduce turnover by 40%, saving huge costs in recruitment and training.
Improving Company Culture and Reputation
A company that takes care of the mental health of its employees:
- Attracts the best talent (Positive Employer Branding).
- Reduces internal conflict and improves teamwork.
- Increase employee loyalty.
Case study: Google introduced the “gPause” program, with mindfulness sessions and psychological support for employees. The result? Greater job satisfaction and increased productivity.
How to Implement a Psychological Support Program in a Company?
To obtain a high ROI, companies can adopt different strategies:
- Access to psychological consultations (also online, to promote privacy).
- Training on stress management and burnout.
- Mindfulness sessions and relaxation techniques.
- Healthy work environment (flexibility, smart working, work-life balance).
- Well-being surveys to monitor employee satisfaction.
Psychological Support is an Investment, not a Cost
Companies that ignore the mental well-being of their employees pay a very high price in terms of lost productivity, absenteeism and turnover. On the contrary, investing in psychological support programs generates an ROI at least 4-5 times higher, improving company health and competitiveness on the market.
Winning companies are those that put people at the center.