Why has workplace wellbeing become so important right now?
Within the workplace, we’re finally starting to wake up to the fact that our mental health can affect our everyday lives – and productivity – just as much as our physical health can. There are tonnes of strategies and schemes that are being put in place in organisations up and down the country in a bid to fulfil that all-important duty of care.
But, workplace wellbeing is so much more than another box to tick. By tailoring an initiative to what your employees need, you can increase morale, improve productivity and, importantly, boost revenue.
Exploring every avenue
Not only does a consideration for employee wellbeing have the potential to change how a company is perceived by staff and the outside world, it could also be the answer to reducing absenteeism and strengthening staff retention.
And, with the Chief Medical Officer reporting that around 70 million working days are lost every year due to poor mental health – costing the country up to £100 billion – it makes perfect sense to explore any avenue that could hold the key to resolving the issue (Source: Public Mental Health Priorities: Investing In The Evidence. Department of Health, 2014).
Ensuring you have a healthy, engaged workforce
- Time to talk – ensure your line managers talk to staff regularly and know what may be causing them stress. This can be via one-to-ones or informal chats over lunch or a coffee – either way, it’s essential that employees feel their wellbeing is valued and that they’re not simply seen as another number on the payroll.
- Support a healthy balance – every workplace has busy periods when everyone needs to knuckle down and get the job done; however, it’s important that such periods are balanced with incentives and gratitude. For instance, introducing a late start following a particularly busy time, encouraging people to take a proper lunch break and avoiding emailing out of office hours will help instil a healthy work/life balance.
- Educate and understand – encourage team members to talk about their own mental health, if they feel comfortable to do so. There’s no doubt that the stigma around the subject has significantly reduced in recent years but it’s still something that we tend to shy away from talking about. If someone returns to work after being off due to depression, for instance, take the time to discuss it with them in an open manner.
This article was provided by Health Shield.
In partnership with Health Shield
At Health Shield we're passionate about improving people's everyday health.
