82% of business leaders acknowledge that the pandemic has taken its toll on them

• Six out of ten say that stress affected the quality of sleep

Madrid,  May 26, 2021. -The health crisis has affected the well-being of 82% of business leaders, according to the report  'The health of Spanish managers' carried out by the AED in collaboration with SegurCaixa Adeslas. The survey has asked more than 500 Spanish executives to know the state of health and well-being of this group in our country. The report reveals that six out of ten managers have seen their stress level increase, while half say that the pandemic has negatively impacted the quality of sleep and the lack of free time available.   

The concern for the health of the team and collaborators has also been a source of concern. 98% of the participants in the survey have felt concerned about the well-being of their teams, above the progress of the company or the fear of losing their job. In addition, 88% of them acknowledge having had to face situations related to the health of the teams. 

According to the study, most leaders have decided to take some measure to mitigate the negative effects they have experienced during the pandemic. Among the most common habits, 74% of those interviewed admit to doing more sports now and 70% value the effect of talking frequently with close friends and family. To a lesser extent, managers have also chosen to make their schedules more flexible (62%), adopt additional family conciliation measures (40%), do some type of exercise or relaxation therapy (32%) or have the help of a coach or psychologist (9%). 

Teleworking, one of the changes with the best acceptance 

More than a year after the declaration of the state of alarm and the recommendation to resort to teleworking in companies, 64% of the participants in the survey currently telecommute. 62% of them consider that it has a positive impact on their health and well-being, while 16% say that it has harmed them. However, 83% negatively value less personal contact in the workplace. 

Despite the difficulties, survey participants are satisfied with both their own performance and that of their team during the pandemic. 87% declare that their productivity has increased or has not been affected, a figure very similar to the productivity of the workforce. Only 13% believe that the performance of their team has decreased in this period. 

Managers also value the greater use of collaborative tools, as well as the punctuality and shorter duration of meetings, but they miss attending social events and greater availability on the agenda. On the positive side of teleworking, 64% of those surveyed highlight a better reconciliation of work and professional life. 

Differences between SMEs and large companies 

The report also reflects differences according to the size of the organization in which they work. 82% of the managers of small and medium-sized companies (between 1 and 50 workers) have felt a slightly higher concern about their future and that of their company, compared to 61% of the leaders of large companies (more than 1,001 workers), who have expressed those same fears.  

The report reveals that 70% of large companies have taken steps to improve the morale of their teams. Among the actions carried out, emotional support through an external professional, additional family conciliation measures or access to online platforms with recommendations and follow-ups to improve health stand out. 

In addition, 68% of the managers of large companies and 60% of those of small ones celebrate the reduction of work meals. Regarding the decrease in trips, 75% of the leaders of large companies value the low activity very positively, compared to 48% of the managers of SMEs. 

Young managers vs. older managers 

Age is another factor in which significant disparities are found among leaders. Managers over 56 years of age feel more concerned about the well-being of the team and adopt a greater proportion of measures to take care of their state of mind. In addition, in this group the negative assessment of the reduction in personal contact, travel and business meals has grown. 

Managers under the age of 45 have been more emotionally affected by the pandemic. Among those surveyed in this age group, 59% have seen their well-being damaged; 48% consider that the hours of rest have worsened and 61%, the time for themselves. In addition, 44% consider that their general physical condition has deteriorated and 69% admit to suffering a higher level of stress. 

SegurCaixa Adeslas is the leading Non-Life company in Spain in health insurance. It is integrated into the Mutua Madrileña Group and owned by CaixaBank. The Executive President is Javier Mira and Javier Murillo, its General Director.

The purpose of the AED (Spanish Association of Managers), created 25 years ago and chaired by Juan Antonio Alcaraz, is the professional development of people who have the responsibility of leading organizations and contributing to the progress of society as a whole. It currently has more than 2,500 partners, of which more than 60% hold the highest management responsibility in the companies where they work; as well as more than 50 leading companies from different sectors and areas of activity.