Employees in the UK took 131 million days off sick in 2013, which cost businesses £29 billion[i]. Yet, to most HR professionals, these findings are not surprising. As the workplace becomes more demanding, organisations bear witness to an ‘always on’ culture among employees. This not only impacts the stress and productivity levels of the workforce but also has wider consequences, negatively effecting overall business performance.
Holding such a prominent impact on an organisation in its entirety, the issue of staff wellbeing is rapidly making its way up the management agenda, being recognised as a major concern that businesses across the globe need to address.
Here are three simple steps that HR professionals should look to take in order to re-establish wellbeing in the workplace.
1) Adapt the working environment
Whether static or flexible, the working environment is an important factor in enhancing employee engagement. Recent ADP research has shown that employees across the UK rank flexible working as the most important factor for their engagement[ii]. In fact, 74% of office workers are more likely to feel stressed, compared to less than half (49%) who work at home[iii]. With such a favourable link between flexible working and improved employee wellbeing, HR professionals should incorporate this opportunity into HCM strategies, reaping the benefits of a fully engaged and contented workforce.
It is also important that HR professionals recognise ways of improving employee wellbeing inside the office, especially since the majority of staff still work in this static environment. Providing comfortable surroundings, nutritious snacks, walking meetings and standing desks are some ways organisations can enhance the environment and employee focus, stress levels and efficiency.
2) Provide new tools and techniques
There are an abundance of readily available tools and practices that HR professionals can offer staff to boost wellbeing. For example, providing employees with the opportunity to take part in mindfulness meditation is a powerful method of improving their mental wellbeing.
In recent years, organisations such as Google, the NHS, Transport for London and Green & Blacks have started providing their employees with the opportunity to practice mindfulness. Indeed, a growing number of businesses now understand how this can reduce stress, while increasing emotional intelligence and reducing the probability of employees becoming sick.
Another tool that can be effective in bringing back employee wellbeing is the implementation of comprehensive health checks. These checks provide a snapshot of current health, encouraging individuals to improve their lifestyle both inside and outside of work. Providing a rich insight into the overall health of employees, regular checkups are a great way to incentivize staff to improve their health, setting off endorphins that increase their happiness, both inside and outside of work.
3) Support every staff member
Irrespective of employee position, job title and working hours, all employees need support, which can come in a myriad of different forms. From presenting staff with assistance programmes to hosting seminars about time management techniques and offering bi-monthly ‘check ins’ with supervisors, there are many ways organisations can support employees when the stress of work builds momentum.
Ensuring employees feel supported in their roles and that they are armed with the skills and understanding of how to manage stress is a critical step in bringing about a contented workforce. Once they obtain the knowledge and support necessary to tackle different situations, increases in workload and other hurdles both inside and outside of work, employees will then work productively and positively contribute to the bottom line.
Act now
The modern workplace is rapidly changing and HR professionals need to ensure a secure work-life balance for employees. Enhancing working environments, giving employees greater opportunities to improve health and providing continuous support are critical steps in ensuring that the workforce remains happy and productive. By starting today, organisations can thrive from a dynamic and talented workforce, greater return on investment and profound business success.
[i] City AM. (27 April 2015). Employee wellbeing is as important to the City as the health of its businesses. http://www.cityam.com/214515/employee-wellbeing-important-city-health-its-businesses
[ii] ADP UK. Workforce View in 2014/15. http://www.adp.co.uk/workforceview/white-paper-2014-15
[iii] Workplace Savings and Benefits. (27 April 2015). The wellbeing perks that make staff happy. http://www.wsandb.co.uk/wsb/news/2405713/infographic-the-wellbeing-perks-that-make-staff-happy