Wellbeing in the workplace

Just three months into the year, after a long winter, we still can’t be certain of anything. This uncertainty inevitably leads to anxiety, not only from clients and candidates, but also from consultants, affecting their ability to achieve. Earlier this week I attended APSCo’s Northern Business forum discussing wellbeing and some really insightful initiatives were shared.

What is wellbeing?

The state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy. It often affects the way that we react to and manage the stress and strains of everyday life, once we are unable to cope with reasonable stress, our wellbeing can often result in poor mental health.

The notion that HR is solely responsible for any grievances is in the past. It is not only the employer’s duty to consider the effects of workplace pressure on their employees, it sits with each and every employee to take responsibility to make reasonable adjustments for other team members if we feel their pressure has resulted in unmanageable stress.

Whilst this support will undoubtedly benefit the employee, it also lends itself to the business

• ¼ people suffer from poor mental health
• Poor mental health is a huge contributor to outgoing costs
• Stress is the biggest cost of long-term sickness
• Wellbeing in the workplace improves performance and profitability
• Millennials place recognition and progression above salary when looking for a job
• Job satisfaction = positive culture and improved performance

Fortunately, there are fast-growing strategies being developed to measure wellbeing inside the workplace, and several ways of recognising and managing it so that your work environment remains a positive place to thrive in, many of which don’t cost a thing.

• Praise and commendation
• Attention from leaders
• Opportunities to lead projects or tasks

Thankfully, most workplaces come with some ‘daily vitamins’ as a standard, that naturally nourish employees and improve their state of wellbeing. Simply having a purpose and structure and being around like-minded individuals can offer a sense of belonging. Likewise, being identified in a position of competence and mastery and being able to personally develop whilst being recognised for achievements are priceless in contributing to a positive state of mind.

As employers and team members, we MUST be alive to the wellbeing of those around us; simply asking *How are you?* and listening to the answer can make a world of difference – making your place of work a positive environment and therefore a lucrative place to be in.