Motivation in the workplace can stagger at times, leading to stress and mental health issues. Some obstacles appear too difficult to overcome, and companies rarely do enough to tackle the problem before it becomes serious. Executive consultancy Rutbusters has carried out a survey to understand the extent of low energy and feelings of dissatisfaction at work.

According to Rutbusters, over one million managers and professionals feel trapped in low-energy ruts at work. Most of them don’t know how to get out, and feel demotivated or unfulfilled in their roles. In all cases, however, the research shows that employers are not being open or positive enough towards their executives, and they often lack effective strategies to re-energise the management workforce.

The consultancy’s research focuses on senior professionals aged 40 and above, showing concern and fear of change in all professional fields. Some are familiar with taking stress-related leave or with dragging out until retirement, which influences productivity and overall wellbeing in the workplace. But most people prefer to remain in their role to avoid a negative financial impact on their family, or due to discouragement and age.

When tackling workplace wellbeing, employers should adopt a more positive approach, by establishing regular independent, broader reviews to let employees speak freely about their mental health. It can help make conscious choices to bring positive influences upon the team, by assisting employees to find what’s missing from their lives.

Law and accountancy show signs of good health, thanks to customer-focused work environments; according to Rutbusters, the more people are able to see others benefitting from their work, the more likely they are to feel fulfilled about it. But the research has revealed that the issue is much worse in process and compliance-driven sectors, such as telecoms, IT and banking. Of IT and telecommunications executives, 28% state they have felt ‘stuck in a rut’ for some time, with another 17% admitting they are ‘unhappy’ at work. This is almost doubled compared to the average of all surveyed managers, resting at 14% and 10% respectively.

The executive consultancy’s research sheds light on the overall happiness of senior managers across the UK, adding up to the country’s mental health debate. It is another step towards a more open conversation on mental wellbeing, and a tool for organisations wanting to understand their workforce better.

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