Health & Wellbeing

HOLISTIC approach is best

To get the most out of their workforce, employers should think about employee welfare holistically, a recent study has shown…

Creating a workplace culture that recognises and supports employees holistically can bring out the best in them. That’s the stand-out conclusion of a recent study by life insurance specialist MetLife, which said employees are increasingly favouring health and wellness benefits that fit around their needs both in and outside of the workplace. The report revealed several key insights:

1. When employees are supported as individuals, they are more engaged. Staff now expect their employer to recognise their ‘whole selves’ - from their unique values, backgrounds and talents to their perspectives on the workplace.

2. Finding purpose at work is multifaceted. Employees’ definition of what purpose means to them is broad and varied: 72% said creating value for their employer contributes to the sense of purpose they felt at work; 71% said doing work they were passionate about was the key motivator, while regularly accomplishing work tasks gave 79% a sense of purpose. The study found that 88% of employees who feel a strong sense of purpose when working are significantly more satisfied with their job. Eight-three per cent felt more engaged, 89% more productive and 82% more successful. By taking a holistic approach, employers can do several things to make employees feel valued and appreciated, such as offering a comprehensive benefits programme, recognising achievements and providing training opportunities and incentives that fit around their lifestyles.

3. Technology is driving a new mandate for training. From social media to artificial intelligence (AI), new and evolving technologies are revolutionising job roles and industries. To adapt, employers must prepare and equip their workforce with new skillsets - often in short supply - and reskill employees who will be most affected. Through the right planning and training, employers will not only get more appropriately skilled employees, but also happier, more engaged employees. Indeed, 68% of staff said work skills made them a better person in their personal life. The study said training helps reinforce companies’ commitment to their staff, building a holistic culture of caring that drives employees’ trust in their employers.

4. Flexible careers are reshaping the workplace. Not only do employees expect employers to offer flexible work policies, they also want more longer-term flexibility that can help them achieve a better work-life balance. Offering structured programs such as paid sabbaticals can not only help employees take the time to follow passions or recharge, but also give them a sense of purpose and pride. Sixty-eight per cent of employees surveyed in the study said they would be interested in a paid sabbatical program.

5. The gig economy can be a challenge and an opportunity for employers. The same technologies and evolving expectations that have driven flexibility and the need for new skills have also blurred the distinction between work and life. The evolution of mobile infrastructure, for example, has made part-time work accessible at the tap of a finger. These technologies are fast-tracking the revolution of the gig economy, an increasingly popular way of working often based on a fixed-term contract or projects paid via a third party or online marketplace. This poses a challenge for employers; 47% of IT workers surveyed said they were planning on leaving employment for contract or freelance work in the next five years. To counter this, employers could create benefits packages that gig opportunities can’t compete with or introduce policies and experiences within the workplace that replicate the flexibility offered by gig working.

“By taking a holistic approach, employers can do several things to make employees feel valued and appreciated, such as offering a comprehensive benefits programme, recognising achievements and providing training opportunities and incentives that fit around their lifestyles.”

Well-being is our holistic health, including the physical and emotional. When we have good levels of well-being, we feel that life is in balance and that we can generally cope well. We feel motivated and engaged, we’re able to deal effectively with daily tasks, as well as ’bounce back’ from life’s challenges. Good employee well-being is essential for a mentally healthy workplace, as well as enabling you to retain and gain motivated employees. The cost of mental health in the workplace as you can see below has a huge impact on organisations. If we can focus on preventative well-being measures, we can support all employees including those with mental health issues.

Time and resources are often seen as a barrier to employee well-being but some small changes can make a difference to the culture of an organisation and most do not cost the earth, with a return on investment up to £9.00 for every £1.00 spent. Here are a few small, simple ideas to get you started: • Environment- is your office a comfortable space to work in- is there enough natural light, could you add some plants or a splash of colour. • Gratitude- notice good work and thank employees, have a gratitude wall- share thanks and positives, small things e.g. Joe made the coffee today. • Take breaks/lunch breaks- allow your mind and body to reset, we are not machines, if possible, get outside to a park or green space. • Healthy snacks- look after body and mind, you could combine this with connection-a team breakfast and use as a time to get to know each other, that’s not just work related. • Communication is key- do people understand their roles, do they feel able to talk to someone if they are struggling with work, health or feeling stressed. • Development and coaching opportunities help staff feel valued, improve their skills and put more back into the organisation. Employee well-being can also improve performance and job satisfaction, which can lead to reduced staff turnover. It can reduce absence, increase productivity and promote staff engagement. What have you got to lose? Tracy Douthwaite Mental Health Awareness & Workplace Well-being Consultant & Trainer www.happylife.org.uk

020 8088 9678

www.riverside-nursery.co.uk

30 | Business Connexions Is your child struggling with confidence? Preparing for an exam? Or looking for some extra support at school? StudyBox provides MATHS, ENGLISH and SCIENCE tuition for students ages 5 - 16. Does your child have an interest in coding? We have a club for that! Looking for a fun and educational club for half term, Easter and summer? We got you covered! We’re open 4 - 6 pm weekdays & Saturday mornings. We are located to the rear of Riverside Nursery, Ensign House, Battersea Reach, Juniper Drive, SW18 1TA Riverside Nursery has opened a StudyBox Tuition Centre at Battersea Reach! YOU can book a FREE TRIAL today! by calling 020 8088 9987 or email: battersea@studybox.london