Do you understand the importance of employee wellbeing? Are you doing enough for your employees?
Promoting wellbeing can help prevent stress and create positive working environments where individuals and organisations can thrive. Good health and wellbeing can be a core enabler of employee engagement and organisational performance. Your staff are people and, by putting them first, helps to inspire productive and smart work.
Mental Health
In a survey carried out by the CIPD, their findings show that mental health emerges as an even more significant challenge than in previous years. Over a fifth now report that mental ill health is the primary cause of long-term absence (22% of organisations compared with 13% in 2016). It showed there has been a significant increase in the number of organisations that include it among their top three causes of long-term absence. There has also been a significant increase in the number of reported common mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression, among employees in the last 12 months.
“Give your employees a space to take five minutes and a person who can listen well.” Mary Cushen.
Most companies are doing something to improve employee health and wellbeing, but organisations are more likely to act on an adhoc basis. This means they base it according to employee need, than have a formal strategy or plan. Although this is better than having nothing in place, it is reactive not proactive and is less effective in assisting employees.
Technology and Wellbeing.
As technology advances and the ability to work remotely increases, the impact on employee wellbeing increases. An employee may see working from home an advantage to their situation. However, these employees are more likely to suffer burnouts from over-working as they lose the ability to switch off.
There is an increase in stress when technology fails them when working remotely as they don’t have the support to hand. This may mean missing deadlines, having to work extra hours to catch up or making their way to an office for assistance when it wasn’t initially planned. There is also an increase in general aches and sprains from employees not completing a DSE assessment or taking adequate breaks.
Allowing employees to work remotely is on the rise. It can benefit both employees and the employer if it’s done in a way that supports both parties. With the right strategy in place, employees can be less stressed and more productive in an environment of their choice. Where remote working is not possible, there are plenty of opportunities to offer different working spaces within the office.
Wellbeing Monitoring.
Within your organisation you should have a clear reporting methods. These should provide as a minimum the reason for absence, term of absence and frequency of absence. You should have something similar for leavers. If people are leaving due to the environment or previous health issues, the information will help you create a strategy that suits your requirements.
If you have a high number of employees that suffer with stress or depression, you can investigate further. Was it following a recent change (organisational, team, personal, etc)? Do they have similar situations (all just had a baby or a child start school) or belong to the same part of the company?
It’s a well known fact that most people don’t like change. If the change has been managed well and your employees supported throughout the process, they are more likely to remain calm and not overly stressed; even if it’s something they are not 100% comfortable with. It’s all about managing expectations and having the right support in place.
Need some help with your employee wellbeing?
Employee wellbeing is always going to be a subject on the agenda. Keeping employees happy and healthy is no easy task. Some things will be out of your control but there is a lot you can consider to help support your employees.
If this is an area you know you could make improvements in, why not see how I could help you. Employee wellbeing is not just about having helplines, allowing remote work or wellbeing champions. It is also about making sure your processes and systems allow your employees to do their job effectively and efficiently without any added stress. This can include having over-worked employees and old systems that don’t deliver a streamlines process.
If you would like to discuss how I could help you move forward, feel free to get in touch. I am always happy to answer any questions you may have.
Photo by Sage Friedman on Unsplash