Is Health & Wellbeing an Employers’ Responsibility?
With poor workplace health costing UK employers around £85 billion each year, the impact on the overall performance of businesses and their people’s wellbeing, is reaching crisis point. Employees’ problems and issues cannot be forgotten at the door, so it is important to recognise that when support is not available, the workplace becomes part of the problem, and not the solution. Management must realise that the question is no longer whether wellbeing matters, but what steps need to be taken to ensure employees’ wellbeing is protected.
Despite growing investment, only 55% of employees feel their organisation genuinely prioritises wellbeing.To make a positive impact on employee’s wellbeing, leaders should move beyond compliance and “box ticking”, and head towards a proactive, preventative wellbeing strategy.
Strengthening Mental Health Support
A core element of any successful employee health strategy is accessible mental health support. Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) provide confidential support through counselling, legal advice, and guidance to equip your team with financial and wellbeing tools necessary for their personal circumstances. Research shows that improved employee wellbeing can increase productivity by around 10%, helping the success of your business, as well as the job satisfaction of your employees. But it’s not just about providing the access that will make the difference. Managers should be trained to signpost support with empathy and with confidence, so that their teams feel safe to be open with their struggles. Mental health support should be embedded into your EVP, and the culture of the business as a whole, to help retain the best talent, and attract new employees.
Supporting Financial Wellbeing
Financial health is increasingly important for wellbeing, due to the cost of living crisis. With financial pressure a leading cause of stress for UK employees, organisations should ensure support is available to their employees. There are many ways in which you can help with financial worries your teams may be going through:
Access to these initiatives can help reduce the stress and stigma associated with financial anxiety. Not only will your team feel empowered to address their worries, but also improve the relationship they have with the company.
It’s not just mental health organisations should support their employees with. Physical health problems can require time off for doctors and hospital appointments, which can add pressure to employees who feel unable to take the time off. This causes presenteeism, or working whilst ill, which can reduce productivity, and affect the health of other employees working closely with them. Offering a Virtual GP service (VGP) can assist your team, by allowing them to skip the long NHS waiting times, and get swift consultations with a registered UK doctor. Doctors can be matched to patients within 5 minutes, and offer advice, consultations and even prescriptions, anytime of day, allowing your employees to receive help on their lunchbreaks, or from their own homes, allowing them to receive any treatment they require without worrying about missing work or finding childcare.
Employee health and wellbeing is a top priority and responsibility for employers. In the modern workplace, it is no longer just about turning up until the work is done, but there is an emphasis on creating a strong environment and culture in which employees feel trusted and safe, whilst also ensuring the security and success of the business.
Speak to our team about our employee health and wellbeing offerings and discover how your organisation can build a healthier, more resilient workforce.
