ARMA and IRPM have today published their 2023 Wellbeing Survey report which has been shaped by responses from over 700 property professionals working across the United Kingdom.
Now in its third year, the report reveals that property managers continue to face a range of complex and difficult challenges on a daily basis, many of which are impacting on their mental health.
The 2023 survey highlights the negative impact of high workload pressures on the wellbeing of individuals. Survey data also shows that the average property professional works considerably longer hours (45-per week) compared to the average full-time UK worker (36.4 hours per week). In addition, respondents noted an average 20% vacancy rate at their business over the past year.
The survey was conducted in February 2023, during a time when property managers and support staff have had to support leaseholders feeling the pinch from the current cost-of-living crisis, manage high workloads and navigate the challenges of implementing a new building safety regime.
Results At A Glance
Key findings from the 700+ respondents show that:
- Respondents posted an average ‘happiness’ score that was 18% below the national average.
- 65% of respondents thought their mental health was at risk from their work, up 1% on last year.
- The percentage of those who believe they are physically at risk from their job has gone up from 25% to 29% in 2023.
- Instances of physical assaults and hate crimes have increased slightly from last year.
- In 2023, 75% of respondents said they had had noticed an increase in work-related stress, up from 65% in the previous two years.
- Leaseholder concerns about cost of living and service charges was the second highest cause of pressure at work.
- Implementing the Building Safety Act is the fourth highest source of pressure at work.
- Very low or very high workload pressure scores correlated with people being less likely to stay in the sector over the next three years.
- A high proportion of respondents (71%) continue to take positive steps towards controlling their wellbeing, showing that personal responsibility for wellbeing remains high.
- The 2023 survey included new questions which showed how pressures from the cost-of-living crisis, social media conversations and working with new building safety guidance have impacted wellbeing.
Further Resources and Guidance
The survey has helped identify actions that can be implemented and highlighted the need for some larger measures that need to be reviewed on a greater scale within the industry. Based on results, ARMA and IRPM have included several resources within the report that will help equip workers with skills needed to build resilience and improve their wellbeing, including:
- A revised ‘Unreasonable Behaviour Policy’ and a ‘Safeguarding Staff’ poster for public display
- Several resources to help property managers meet the requirements of the new building safety regime, support leaseholders concerned with the cost-of-living crisis and manage online conversations.
- Information on Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) and their related benefits to employees.
ARMA and IRPM will jointly be working on deliverables that have derived from the survey, and we will be revisiting this survey again in 2024.
If you have any questions regarding the white paper and the findings please email, [email protected].
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