In the UK, it’s estimated that 1 in 4 people will suffer from a mental health problem at some point in their life. Therefore, it’s possible that you may have employees who experience mental health difficulties within your business.
It’s not just workplace pressures that can affect the wellbeing of your employees. External circumstances, such as financial struggles, health concerns and family conflicts can be contributing factors too. Not only can this have a negative impact on the mental, physical and emotional wellbeing of your team, but it can put a strain on employee relationships and lead to reduced motivation and productivity.
Luckily, there are simple steps that you can implement to reduce the risk factors for stress and improve your team’s all-round health. Read on to learn how you can support your employees, boost workplace wellbeing and create positive results for your business.
1) Encourage Your Team to Engage with Each Other
Our busy schedules and packed workloads don’t allow much time for us to stop, talk and take notice of our surroundings, but it’s vital that your team are encouraged to engage with each other. Creating an environment where your employees feel comfortable to ask questions and share their problems and concerns can improve their self-confidence and team morale.
Being present and having more awareness has many benefits, including lower stress levels, improved sleep and better concentration. Some people call this practice mindfulness, which is thought to reduce anxiety by 70% according to a recent study. Simply pausing to take stock will also help your employees look out for those around them.
2) Invest in Employee Learning and Development
A recent survey identified that a staggering 98% of employees think that having new opportunities to learn is essential when deciding to stay with their employer. Adopting new skills can also improve employee wellbeing as it gives them a sense of achievement and new confidence.
It’s also important to celebrate the successes of your employees. Recognising their achievements will help motivate, boost engagement and help them feel proud of what they have accomplished.
3) Support Your Employees’ Charitable Activities
Studies have shown that giving back or simply doing something nice for someone else has a positive impact on an individual’s wellbeing. Whether it’s random acts of kindness or volunteering, lending a hand has been proven to lift mood, decrease depression, lower blood pressure and reduce stress levels.
Giving your employees the chance to participate in charitable activities will foster a culture of compassion within your business. Not to mention, it will help your team to build their transferable skills, give them a sense of accomplishment and allow them to reap the health benefits.
4) Get Behind Your Team’s Health and Fitness
Inspire your employees to be more active, whether that’s by encouraging them to step away from their desks to get fresh air, running lunchtime fitness classes or offering discounts on local gym memberships. Exercise is a natural stress-reliever as it releases endorphins in the brain, helping to relieve tension in the body. Running 15 minutes a day or walking for an hour has been proven to reduce the risk of major depression by 26%.
Nutrition and hydration are equally important. Many studies have shown that mild dehydration can impair mood, memory and brain performance. It’s worth considering providing free fruit in the office or healthier options in the canteen to promote a balanced diet.
5) Create a Culture That Champions Wellbeing
It’s one thing to support the wellbeing of your employees by improving working conditions but creating a culture where they can talk openly about their mental health problems, without fear of discrimination or reprisal is another.
Consider training for employees to raise awareness and understanding of mental health and wellbeing. Everyone within your business should be aware of everyday contributing factors to mental health issues, such as stress and excessive workloads and how to deal with them effectively. Show your employees that you care by encouraging them to share feedback about factors in their job roles that may induce stress, such as unreasonable performance targets and deadlines.
Want to Make a Difference to the Wellbeing of Your Employees?
Positively, employee wellbeing is a priority for most employers in 2020. According to a recent survey, 72% of senior managers reported being committed to the wellbeing agenda.
Our Workplace Wellbeing Service is designed to help you identify and improve the mental, physical and emotional wellbeing of your employees. From as little as £15 per employee per year, the service includes an unlimited 24-hour counselling helpline, support for managers, mental health awareness training and more, to support your team through difficult periods.
For more information, please contact us today on 02920 853794 or email lauren.hill@thomas-carroll.co.uk.
