Are Companies Just 'Care Washing'?

Here's a head-scratcher: While 23 percent of HR chiefs claim wellbeing is a top priority, only 21 percent of workers believe their company cares about it. That's from Gallup's latest survey of 151 major companies.

One of the ways employers show they care is through Employee Assistance Programs. These are usually phone lines you can call to confidentially ask for help.

Here's what's wild: 81 percent of workers who have access to these programs never use them. 

And get this—31 percent don't even know if they have one. I bet most people who know don't have time to call them.

It's like companies are building fancy gyms no one can find the door to.

Gallup calls it "carewashing"—I love that new word. Carewashing is superficial support that skirts the root causes of burnout.

Instead of dealing with staffing issues, systemic organizational flaws, or just admitting humans with flaws run their company, they say, "Here's a shiny object to help you through—now don't bother us about it."

Sounds familiar, doesn't it? I've seen and felt this many times before.

There is some logic to all this carewashing though. When organizations get it right, Gallup says the results are stunning.

Workers who feel their company truly cares are 73 percent less likely to burn out and 53 percent less likely to job hunt.

But those numbers leave me asking: How and why do these employees believe their organizations care? What does that look like? Is it just a feeling, or is there more to it?

Here's today's question: What's one thing your company could do today to show it truly cares about you?

What do you think? Let me know in the comments at jamesbrowntv.substack.com. On that note, I'm James Brown and, as always, be well.