Men in the retail sector have much higher levels of wellbeing, with 76% of male retail employees feeling they are well looked after.
The research also found 23% of women in retail felt their wellbeing had improved over the past three years (compared to 30% of men). Almost a third (32%) felt their wellbeing had got worse.
Having a good relationship with their line manager was cited by 89% of female respondents as being a critical part of wellbeing. Working reasonable hours was chosen by 84% and feeling empowered by 78%. Almost two-thirds (63%) said having a comprehensive benefits package was important to them.
Unum CMO Marco Forato said retail companies face losing female talent if they don't take steps to “improve perceptions of wellbeing”.
He added: “With staff turnover costing on average £20,114 per employee in the retail sector, and women representing an important majority of retail workforces, this is an issue retail businesses need to tackle now.”
Women make up 60% of all retail workers in the UK.
