)
In today’s workplace, more than ever, it is crucial to have Health & Wellbeing policies in place. Failure to do so can damage both the health of employees and the performance of the business. With support, respect and reliable information, those facing mental health issues in the workplace will have a more positive experience and their confidence and skills will increase.
Demands at work
It is reported that one in four of us will experience mental ill health, making it one of the biggest issues in today’s workplace including stress, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Our emotional and social well-being changes affect the way we make decisions, the way we interact with our colleagues and our ability to handle stress.
Mental health problems can affect anyone at any time for numerous factors including pressures at work. The impact on the employee’s physical and mental health will spiral should the member of staff feel they have little control over their situation and believe there is no-one to talk to resulting in exhaustion and absence.
Statistics which cannot be ignored
The organisation, Mind, carried out a survey concerning stress in the workplace and these were the worrying statistics given from employees.
More than one in five had called in sick to avoid work
14% resigned and 42% had considered resigning
30% disagreed with the statement ‘I would feel able to talk openly with my line manager if I was feeling stressed’
Only 25% of people with mental health problems receive the support they need and deserve to stay well
56% of employers said they would like to do more to improve staff wellbeing
With over 70 million working days lost to stress, anxiety, depression and exhaustion in the UK every year, good mental health should be a priority for all organisations.
Spotting the signs
To safeguard the wellbeing of staff, it is critical to address issues before they worsen.
Do staff work through their lunch break?
Do staff have holidays left to take at year end?
Is flexible working frowned upon?
Are staff working long and unsociable hours?
Are certain staff suffering from work overload?
Is an employee impatient with their colleagues and clients?
Is someone taking longer than usual to complete tasks and unable to concentrate?
Healthy working environment
A happy and comfortable workplace is one that openly promotes good health and includes continuous Health & Safety risk assessments, accessibility to information, training on health issues and the availability of support practices and structures.
Your organisation may want to consider designing a wellbeing programme. Depending on the size of the organisation and the demographic of the workforce, there are lots of choices to consider from fitness programmes to team building exercises, from flexible working arrangements to policies on taking breaks – remember ‘one size does not fit all’ and even small changes really can make a big difference!
Employees who feel good about themselves are more productive, they get on well with their colleagues, make smart decisions and work at a faster pace resulting in a valuable contribution to the workplace.
How we can help you
If you’d like to discuss any of the issues detailed in this blog, get in touch with us today. We’re here to help.
)