In the fast-paced, evolving world of retail, the mental health of employees often gets overshadowed. Despite the essential role that retail workers play in driving the economy, their well-being frequently takes a backseat.
An increasingly belligerent customer base and incivility has become commonplace in the industry.
Many retail workers are dealing with burnout, stress, and anxiety. Retail leaders can make a difference for their people by prioritizing mental health and well-being.
Retail workers continue to navigate wellbeing challenges.
"At Barnes & Noble, I was an hourly employee, and then when I moved to Pet Supplies Plus, I became a salaried employee. That’s a whole different lifestyle; I would get calls and texts at any hour of the day or night, so it was very hard to relax. It was very mentally and physically exhausting, and it really doesn’t lend itself to a healthy lifestyle," shared former retail employee, Pavithra Mohan in Fast Company.
Retail, like many industries, faces its own unique combination of stressors and bright spots that paint a distinct picture of workplace wellbeing.
One study on jobs from U.S. News & World Report found that the role of retail salesperson is the worst job to have in the country. Our own research found that retail workers were more likely to experience mental health symptoms and experience these symptoms for longer durations, compared to all respondents.
Some the challenges contributing to poor wellbeing outcomes include:
Poor work-life balance: Due to unpredictable work schedules or a necessity to be available throughout all hours of the day.
A lack of autonomy and flexibility: Creating a combination of high demands and low control.
Financial strain: Retail workers represent among the lowest-paid jobs in the U.S.
Lack of accessibility to mental health resources: Due to on-site work with minimal time in front of a computer.
Growing industry-related stressors: This can include job insecurity, heightened customer interactions, job dissatisfaction, low wages, and lack of career advancement opportunities.
Resources for support retail workers mental wellbeing.
We've curated five of our top resources for those leading mental health and wellbeing initiatives in retail organizations.
Blog: "5 actions retail leaders and managers can take" — Based on industry and academic research, as well as our work with multinational retail clients.
Blog: "Prioritizing Mental Health In Employee Journey Mapping" — There are many ways to weave in mental health throughout an employee’s tenure and day-to-day experience.
Blog: "Five Ways to Support the Mental Health of Shift Workers" — Shift workers in retail have a unique work experience compared to those in the corporate office.
Checklist for team leaders: Work practices play a key role in overall worker mental health and can be helpful or harmful. Be proactive and use our free checklist to review and reset work practices for yourself and your team.
Manager checklist: Manager should proactively and consistently check in on team members. Learn more about a manager's role when it comes to mental health at work.
A workplace mental health case study in retail.
Creating true change and real support for retail workers often means tackling an organization’s culture and systems as well as equipping its workforce with the right knowledge and skills.
You don't have to figure it out alone.
Mind Share Partners has worked with national and global retailers to equip their people with the knowledge and skills to support mental health at work.
When you partner with Mind Share Partners, you will get a custom strategy and true partner to guide you along the way. We listen to your employees and use national benchmark data to prioritize results, and will help you develop key leadership skills specific to your workplace and industry.
Contact us to schedule your free strategy call or learn more about our approach.
About Mind Share Partners
Mind Share Partners is a nonprofit that is changing the culture of workplace mental health so that both employees and organizations can thrive. We help employers create mentally healthy workplaces through consulting and training and are building a national movement to change the landscape around work. Challenges like anxiety, burnout, and depression are not just an individual employee’s responsibility. They’re a collective responsibility. That’s why our time-tested approach hinges on changing company culture—and using an equity lens to do so.