Promoting Wellbeing in the Workplace
Wellbeing in the workplace is key to the success of any business. In fact, taking care of employee wellbeing is great for everyone. Most importantly, workplace health includes the efforts of:
- Employers
- Employees
- Society
Why is a Healthy Workforce Important?
A healthy workforce is vital for any Organisation's success. Promoting wellbeing in the workplace helps make this happen. Therefore staff feels:
- Able to voice their ideas
- Listened to
- Supported in their role
For that reason, they feel more committed to their employers. Best of all, they feel valued and see their work as meaningful.
Promoting and Open Door Policy
Understandably, promoting an open-door policy helps people struggling with mental health. Staff will feel able to talk about things easier and sooner. In addition, it helps overcome any discrimination and stigma.
Ways to actively promote wellbeing for your staff include having integrated:
- Policies
- Systems
- Practices
Workplace Policies
This supports positive wellbeing health at all levels. Within any policies, mental health should be at the heart of them. For example:
- Health and safety
- Working time
- Sickness absence
- Return to work
By investing and promoting mental health and wellbeing in the workplace, staff feels more valued. It also shows employees that their wellbeing is of great importance.
Benefits Include
There are many benefits for employers to support their employee’s mental health and wellbeing. Putting in place the necessary measures doesn’t have to cost a lot. In fact, many are simple, inexpensive actions that produce great results. Any benefits far out way any potential cost, with a more productive and healthier workforce.
- Increases productivity and efficiency
- As a result, business costs reduce and profits increase
- Increases performance
- Improves staff morale
- Improved employee engagement
- Reduced staff turnover and hiring fees
- Reduces sickness levels
- Great for reputation
- Duty of care
- Increased loyalty from employees
What is the Cost of Doing Nothing?
Mental health issues are common within the workplace. In fact, it is the leading cause of sickness absence. In fact, 70 million workdays are lost every year in the UK. It costs employers approximately £2.25 billion per year.
Higher Staff Turnover and Recruitment Costs
On average companies spend £5,433 on costs, to replace a member of staff. However, often, the financial impact of replacing workers learning the ropes and settle into their role effectively is not thought about.
Rises in Conflict in the Workplace
Mental Health problems and stress can lead to costly conflict at work. In addition, conflict is really time consuming. Therefore stress is the second most significant reason for conflict.
Lower Productivity
With mental health issues, staff members are more likely to continue to come to work. Understandably, they do not feel comfortable talking about their mental health. Similarly, they remain worried about mental health stigma and discrimination. For that reason, they remain concerned about raising workplace issues or talking about their mental health.
Loss of Workdays Due to Absenteeism
Industries estimate that there are 70 million days lost each year due to mental mental health issues. That is about 10 million results from stress, anxiety and depression.
Employees say this is a direct result of their working conditions and workloads. As a result, more days are lost, as a result of work-related mental health issues.
Understandably, sickness absence is likely to be under-recorded with regards to mental health issues. This is due to the large scale on which these problems go unrecognised and undiagnosed in the workplace.
In addition, many staff do not want to be labelled as mentally ill.
Conclusion
Employers could save a large amount of these costs. Especially, if they put in simple steps to improve the management of mental health. This should include prevention and early identification of problems.
Of course, it makes great business sense to promote mental health and wellbeing among employees. For example:
- Providing better support to anyone experiencing distress
- Supporting those who need time off to come back to work
Finally, the cost to organisations of neglecting mental health at work is too high to be ignored any longer.
FAQ's
What is wellbeing in the workplace?
Wellbeing in the workplace is about improving employee's health. Furthermore, it is about work-related health and safety.
Why is wellbeing important at work?
Promoting wellbeing helps to create a positive working environment. It helps reduce stress in the workplace. Therefore allowing people to thrive while increasing employee engagement and productivity.
How do you bring wellbeing into the workplace?
- Maintain all round self-care
- Ensure you create a good work/life balance
- Practice Mindfulness
- Take regular breaks
- Talk to others
What are the 4 aspects of wellbeing?
It includes your mental, emotional, spiritual and psychological wellbeing.
