In a groundbreaking study conducted by Oracle and Workplace Intelligence, the mental health landscape in the UAE workforce has come under the spotlight. Here’s a concise breakdown of the key statistics and figures that shed light on the current state of mental well-being among employees:
1. Robots as Mental Health Allies
- 84% Believe in Robot Support: A significant 84% of people in the UAE believe that robots can offer better support for mental health than humans.
2. Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health
- Pandemic Effects: The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on 86% of the UAE workforce, negatively affecting mental health.
- Increased Stress and Anxiety: 81% of UAE workers report experiencing more stress and anxiety at work than ever before.
3. Workplace Stressors and Mental Health Impact
- Diverse Pressures: Everyday workplace stressors have compounded with pandemic challenges, resulting in issues such as burnout, depression, and a lack of work-life balance.
- Global Impact: 91% of individuals state that mental health issues at work have negative repercussions on their personal lives, including sleep deprivation and strained family relationships.
4. Shift in Communication Preferences
- Preference for Robots: A staggering 77% of people prefer talking to a robot over their manager about work-related stress and anxiety.
5. Call for Employer Action
- Expectations from Companies: 87% of respondents believe that companies should be doing more to support the mental health of their workforce.
6. Technological Intervention and Acceptance
- AI as a Mental Health Tool: 86% agree that AI has positively impacted their mental health at work, providing quick answers, automating tasks, and reducing stress.
- Employee Acceptance: 68% of UAE workers find remote work more appealing now, citing increased time for family, sleep, and improved productivity.
7. The Unavoidable Reality: Mental Health Challenges Persist
- Continued Challenges: Despite technological advancements, 94% of workers face challenges while working remotely, including the blurring of personal and professional boundaries.
8. Employee Calls for Support
- Company Responsibilities: 87% believe that companies should do more to protect the mental health of their workforce.
- Technology for Mental Health: 94% of UAE workers express a desire for technology support, including on-demand counseling services and proactive health monitoring tools.
9. Impact on Productivity and Decision-Making
- Workplace Stress Impact: 36% state that workplace stress leads to a decline in productivity, while 45% note an increase in poor decision-making.
10. The Urgent Need for Conversation
In the words of Dan Schawbel, managing partner at Workplace Intelligence, “The pandemic has put mental health front and center – it’s the biggest workforce issue of our time.” Employers, employees, and technology must join forces to address this critical issue and pave the way for a healthier and more productive work environment.
As Emily He, senior vice president at Oracle Cloud HCM, emphasises, “There is a lot that can be done to support the mental health of the global workforce, and there are so many ways that technology like AI can help. But first, organisations need to add mental health to their agenda. If we can get these conversations started – both at an HR and an executive level – we can begin to make some change. And the time is now.
Author: Oracle and Workplace Intelligence Title of Study: 84% of people in the UAE believe Robots can support their mental health better than humans.
Publication Date:2020-10-07 URL: https://www.oracle.com/sa/news/announcement/artificial-intelligence-supports-mental-health-2020-10-07/
