Company Faces Backlash for Introducing 'Not Feeling 100%' Status for Staff

An insurance company has sparked debate with a new employee initiative that was shared on LinkedIn.

Claire Cathcart, who works in HR at YuLife as a people partner, shared with her LinkedIn followers on Friday that the company was introducing a new status on the work messaging platform Slack.

With over 70,000 reactions, the post read: "Today we introduced a new status update to our Slack. Not Feeling 100%."

Cathcart told Newsweek: "There are many occasions where employees want to work and are able to work but just aren't quite feeling themselves. Like when a pet dies and you're still feeling sad or when you need some space because your mental health isn't at its peak—this small action is in place for anyone who needs it and is a great way for people to share their feelings in a safe way."

The custom status that can be turned on in place of messages like "Available" or "In a meeting" is marked with an empty battery emoji.

Part of the company's new Wellbeing Policy, the YuLife move prompted debate and backlash online over the weekend.

Many workers on the employment social media platform expressed concern about the idea. One UX strategist wrote: "This creates a culture of working when you're unwell. People see their peers doing it and think they have to as well. People end up not taking the time they need."

"If someone's pet dies, they would need a 10 days grief package. Not a Slack status," said another reply on the LinkedIn post.

Another worker wrote: "Although there is certainly a good intent, I think it is a bit counterproductive. People who are not feeling 100 percent should either push themselves to be at their best, if they can or want regardless of what percentage that is (as no one is ever, always at 100%, but we do keep going), or take time off."

One critic wrote: "It almost normalizes you not being well and working. Kinda contributing to the burnout culture. I'm not well, I'm not 100 percent and don't feel myself but I'm here anyway so you all know."

"The reality is that we don't always feel on top of the world. A lot of people experience not feeling 100% but continue to work—they work because they want to, they work because they need a distraction," said Cathcart. "Sometimes the people around us are fighting silent battles, and simply need space to decompress. It also enables people to be a little bit more sensitive and aware of how people are doing especially when working remotely."

Despite the criticism, others on LinkedIn appreciated the idea and shared positive feedback: "I absolutely love this," said one reply: "Everyone needs this now and again."

Slack also commented on the viral post, saying: "Sometimes the people around us are fighting silent battles, and simply need space to decompress. Thanks for using our tool in such a thoughtful way, and fostering greater compassion in the workspace."

"Employers need to recognize employees as people, as human beings. This status update has made it clear that people need and expect more—they want to be looked after at work," said Cathcart.

"Embedding a culture of wellbeing takes a lot of effort and it can't happen overnight. Changing a Slack status isn't going to fix everything, and it might not work for every company out there, but the more we talk about wellbeing, and the more we talk about these taboo topics (mental health, menstruation at work, menopause), we will normalize them and raise awareness around what people expect these days and we can open a conversation about what actions truly make a difference in the workplace."