Changes in the workplace continue to impact businesses of all sizes, along with other challenges like economic volatility, supply chain constraints, labor shortages, inflation, and more. However, small businesses in particular are struggling to support their workforce during this challenging time. In fact, a recent MetLife study on small businesses (businesses with 2-99 employees) finds that small business employees' job satisfaction and loyalty are lower today than during the 2008 recession.

What's more, while stress and burnout have remained similar among employees in small and large organizations, they have accelerated for small businesses between 2021 and 2022 – with stress increasing from 34% to 40% and burnout increasing from 32% to 38%, according to the recent MetLife study.

There are steps that small businesses can take now to help support their employees. These include actions focused on employees' holistic wellbeing, especially their mental health. Here are three considerations for employers: