Meta Description: As we enter into a new world of ‘living with covid’ we look at the way employers can support staff wellbeing in the workplace.
Employers have a responsibility to support staff wellbeing. It’s been two years since the first lockdown and there is no denying that it has had a profound effect on individuals, the workplace and the wider community.
Being able to adapt to an ever-changing working landscape has been the key to resilience and behaviour. How companies have responded to each lockdown and continued absences due to illness or isolation due to covid is vital to employee health and wellbeing.
According to recent research, 42% of global employees have experienced a decline in mental health since the pandemic began. Addressing mental health and wellbeing in the workplace will go some way to help combat the legacy issues from the pandemic and make a difference to their employees’ mental wellbeing.
There are several ways that employers can support wellbeing in the workplace such as:
- The introduction of Mental Health First Aiders
Through the introduction of Mental Health First Aiders in the workplace health and wellbeing can be proactively managed. Poor mental health costs UK employers up to £45 billion each year, by spending £1 on mental health interventions, employers can get back £5 in reduced absence, presenteeism, and staff turnover (Deloitte, 2020).
For staff wellbeing to be sustainable, it needs to involve the whole organisation. The role of the Mental Health First Aider is to be the first point of contact for people suffering from mental health issues. They are an understanding person to talk to and although they are not a trained psychologist or therapist, they have the skills to identify the symptoms and causes of mental health issues and can offer advice and guidance on what the individual needs to do next to resolve things.
- A Day for a Day to go and do something charitable
Giving back is beneficial to combat stress, depression and anxiety. Engaging in charitable activities also boosts confidence and provides a sense of purpose. Employers have recognised this and some offer to match a day off for a day you give to charity.
- Incentives to get moving
Exercise has many benefits and is not just for losing weight but also has a huge impact on mental health and wellbeing. Movement, however big or small has a profound effect on how you feel. Just 10 minutes a day can make a huge difference in your mental wellbeing. Organisations have recognised the need for staff to move more, especially in a hybrid and remote working environment, so they have introduced schemes such as a Gym Pass that offers discounts to gyms across the country. It allows those who would not otherwise join a gym due to the costs associated with it or a gentle incentive to join a local gym.
- Flexible working
One thing that has come out of the pandemic and enforced remote working is the value placed on having a flexible working approach. Giving staff more control over start and finish times can lead to better work-life balance and boost mental wellbeing. If employers want to increase staff retention and avoid recruitment costs, then introducing a flexible working policy will go some way in retaining talent and boosting staff morale.
- Model behaviour
Managers who share that they are looking after themselves are more likely to see their teams mirroring that behaviour and doing the same. Sharing they have been on a lunchtime walk, attended a gym class or taken some time out to re-charge highlights to staff that mental health and employee wellbeing is valued enough to look after yourself.
WellGiving provides a platform for employers to use to support staff wellbeing by combining movement with charitable giving, it gives the ability for managers to also model behaviour through whole team or organisation involvement. If you would like to find out more, book a demo.
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