Employers who take effective action to improve the wellbeing of their staff reap rewards for their efforts.
Strategic reviews, budget cuts, redundancies, changing working conditions, smaller teams and general insecurity raise awareness of employee wellbeing. Mental health, frequently in the media, accounts for a high level of staff sickness. Health and Safety Executive research shows that as many as two million at any one time suffer ill health believed to be caused by their work.
Many organisations have ‘return to work’ initiatives. But increasingly employers are encouraging staff to take greater responsibility for their health through healthy eating and on-line services providing risk assessment and other support for coping with anxiety, depression and sleep difficulties.
Managers also need to consider whether they are guilty of driving a long hours culture which could trigger stress. They should set an example by looking after their own health and maintaining good team communication to allow health issues to be raised and addressed.
These can make a real contribution by identifying factors which could lead to ill health before they escalate. Simple steps benefit productivity and reduce absenteeism:
- encourage staff to take a proper meal break away from the desk
- support non-smoking initiatives
- professional health awareness sessions
- understand why people are off sick
- subsidise gym membership
‘Employers can take steps to reduce the risk of mental ill health among their staff. They can train and support line managers to respond quickly and effectively when staff become unwell and they can help those who do need to take time off to get back to work when they are ready’ – Dr Bob Grove, Director, The Sainsbury Centre Employment Programme
Focus for Change – Changing the way you focus
Contact us at 01206 506100
Personal Effectiveness
An interactive two-module workshop – Optimal Performance – provides an opportunity to consider areas which include corporate vision, aspects of wellbeing, life balance effective communication, team development and career aspirations.
Confidence Building
The Pathways programme - created specially for men or for women – considers lifestyle issues including key strengths and prioritises personal and family needs and identifying future goals and steps for achievement.
Communication
Workshops and one-to-one counselling for assertiveness, dealing with conflict and other aspects of communication. See under ‘Workshops’
Focus for Change – Changing the way we focus
Contact 01206 506100