Event professionals still working during the Covid-19 crisis have seen their hours increase by 22 per cent, according to the results of Stress Matters' mental health pulse check.
And job uncertainty is causing stress for more than three quarters of those working in the industry according to the survey, which took place during this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week in May of 103 individuals.
The survey found that:
- Hours have increased by 22 per cent for those still working.
‐ 60 per cent of respondents are still working but 31 per cent of these are on reduced hours/reduced pay.
‐ 30 per cent have been furloughed and positively, none had been made redundant in the last three months.
‐ 77 per cent of respondents reported that the uncertainty of the future of their business/employer was causing stress; followed by uncertainty around personal situation at 56 per cent and missing social life was cited by 50 per cent.
‐ 8 per cent of respondents have taken time off work in the last three months due to their poor mental health.
‐ 77 per cent told us that their knowledge of mental health has increased over the last three months.
‐ 57 per cent responded that their employer has not taken a more active role in trying to improve their wellbeing since the start of the pandemic.
The full report can be accessed on the Stress Matters website from Monday 8 June. Stress Matters has been supporting the event community through the dedicated volunteer‐run Support Line, the Buddies Matter programme and its workplace wellbeing workshops that have continued throughout lockdown.
Accredited by MHFA England to run their courses and in support of its #MHFAEveryEvent campaign that has been running for the last year, Stress Matters wants mental health support to be given the same priority and access as physical first aid training. Its monthly public MHFA courses continue to be supported by Unique Venues of London and its next half‐day Mental Health Aware course is on Thursday 25 June with the more in‐depth Mental Health First Aider course starting on Monday 15 June.
Stress Matters is also currently offering free wellbeing audits to any company under 100 people in the events industry to help improve how they support their team. For further information, contact [email protected]
Respondent demographic: 80 per cent female, 20 per cent male
7 per cent intern / apprentice / entry level, 39 per cent account manager / event co‐ordinator / account executive, 14 per cent account director / producer / buyer / sales manager, 10 per cent senior account director / senior buyer / senior planner, 14 per cent group account director / client services director / executive producer, 13 per cent owner / executive / C-level and 3 per cent other.
27 per cent conferences and gala dinners, 2 per cent corporate hospitality, 10 per cent creative agency, 12 per cent exhibitions, 4 per cent festivals and public events, 3 per cent incentive travel, 10 per cent in‐house, 10 per cent meetings, 11 per cent suppliers to industry, 4 per cent venues and remainder 7 per cent declared as other.
M&IT editor Paul Harvey is a journalist with more than 15 years of experience. He began his career in the local press, working for various titles across the north. Since joining M&IT in 2013, he has become a trusted and respected voice in the sector, championing event professionals and reporting on all aspects of the events industry for the brand.
