3 techniques to support employee wellbeing during periods of business change
Business changes can be challenging, and if not managed well can affect morale, engagement and employee wellbeing. In fact, change is one of the key areas that Health and Safety Executive (HSE) highlight as being influential when looking at the risk of workplace stress.
Regardless of the changes involved, employee wellbeing is a vital aspect to the workplace that should be prioritised. Even positive change can bring feelings of nervousness, so if your business is going through any developments or transformations, it’s vital that you protect your employees’ wellbeing throughout.
- Communicate changes to all employees
In order to support employee wellbeing, it’s vital that you communicate effectively throughout your business to all employees. Those who are likely to be impacted by changes should be identified and consulted on how the changes will affect them, but it is also beneficial to let your entire workforce know what is happening to the business.
Talk to your employees about what opportunities may arise from the changes and what transitions may look like. By doing so, you completely eradicate the fear of the unknown and support the wellbeing of your entire workforce as you provide them with a narrative that helps set expectations. When you act with complete transparency, your employees feel like they can trust you to be honest, and there will be less stress caused from confusion. - Focus on the individual
It is likely that you will have a wide range of responses to change, and managers must make the time to deal with each one. Regardless of the business developments happening, anxiety is likely to be the primary emotion that arises. Then, if your employees are already overloaded with work, stress is likely to occur.
If you do not make the time to engage with employees on an individual basis, your employees’ wellbeing will be seriously affected. Now is the time to show employees that they are not just a number in a business, and you understand how they personally may be feeling. You can do this easily by illustrating an open-door policy that provides your employees with the opportunity to come and discuss how the changes will affect them. Once you show people that they are in a safe place to talk and that you care about their personal wellbeing, they can digest any feelings they may have and they are likely to feel heard, seen and understood. - Provide support services
Schemes such as employee assistance programmes offer solutions to help employees deal with any problems that are causing them stress. Business changes are unavoidable, and the stress your employees feel is expected. By providing your employees with access to telephone counselling services and online help systems, you can give your employees access to confidential and careful support where they can discuss how they feel about the business change.
Support your employees to support your business
When it comes to employee health, there is much more to consider than just physical fitness. Business change can seriously affect employee mental health and wellbeing, and therefore, it is important to have clear strategies in place.
Businesses that are aware of the importance in supporting employee wellbeing throughout business change will engage employees from the outset. Not only does this support your employees with their own wellbeing, but you are also supporting your business. In the words of Richard Branson: ‘If you look after your staff, they’ll look after your customers.’
Having clear communication structures in place, appreciating your employees as individuals and providing support services are key features in engaging a workforce. Engaged employees have increased employee satisfaction and happy employees are more productive, which will help you retain employees in the long-run.
This article is provided by Busy Bees Benefits.
