How to Improve Workplace Wellbeing for Your Employees
Whether you run a small or large business, employ one staff member or a thousand, workplace wellbeing should be a priority.
Joanna Buckland from WellBe Link specialises in workplace wellbeing to ensure that staff are both supported and productive. When executed correctly, workplace wellbeing initiatives can help employees reach targets and perform well in high-pressure environments without detrimental effects on their health. Below, Joanna shares her top tips for promoting good workplace wellbeing in your business, regardless of its size.
Addressing Employee Needs
A common concern among business owners is feeling out of their depth when responding to both business and staff needs. Often, the needs of the business owner are overlooked. Balancing these demands can be challenging, but it is essential to acknowledge and address the wellbeing of everyone involved, including yourself. Here are some strategies to help achieve this balance and create a supportive workplace environment.
1) Mental Health Awareness
With rising mental health issues post-pandemic and during financial crises, mental health awareness is essential for business operations. This awareness provides individuals with the confidence and skills to react appropriately and support others effectively. It is no longer just a nice-to-have but a crucial component of a healthy workplace culture. This is particularly important in customer-facing businesses where staff must be equipped to handle vulnerable individuals. By developing a culture of mental health awareness, businesses can ensure that employees feel supported and are better prepared to deal with potential challenges.
2) Staff Training
Ensure that some staff or volunteers are trained in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA). These courses are invaluable for two main reasons. Firstly, MHFAiders are equipped with effective tools and resources to respond to staff experiencing overwhelm, burnout, or serious mental health issues. The three-year membership benefits include receiving resources and ongoing webinars on how to promote positive workplace mental health in your organisation. Secondly, not everyone is suited to respond to mental health crises. Having trained personnel ensures that support is handled by those best suited, allowing others to utilise their skills in other areas of the business with the confidence they can support their team’s wellbeing by referring to a trained individual. This not only improves the overall wellbeing of the staff but also maintains productivity and efficiency within the business by best utilising everyone's skill sets.
In addition to MHFA training, provide regular bespoke training based on employee needs, such as preventing burnout, time management, or returning to work after trauma. Collaborating with companies like WellBe Link allows you to offer preventative support, reducing the need for reactive measures. Tailored training packages can address specific challenges faced by your employees and equip them with the tools they need to maintain their mental health and productivity. By investing in these training programs, businesses can create a more resilient and capable workforce.
3) Boundaries to Maintain the Wellbeing of Designated Wellbeing Contacts
The designated contact for wellbeing and mental health should be a conscientious person who genuinely cares about colleagues. However, they also need support to ensure they do not become overwhelmed. There will be times when the designated contact needs to attend to their own well-being, is off work or does not have the capacity to handle additional responsibilities. The role of a designated wellbeing contact can be demanding. It is crucial to have a clear process for when someone is and isn’t available, allowing individuals to have time off and respond to their own wellbeing needs. This could involve:
Defined Availability: Allocate specific times for wellbeing duties rather than expecting round-the-clock availability.
Shared Responsibility: Appoint a second MHFAider or another staff member to share the role.
Support Systems: Use out-of-office messages with support numbers when the primary contact is unavailable.
For small organisations, the Mental Health First Aid course partners with the SHOUT text service to offer 24-hour support, ensuring MHFAiders can be supported with their own wellbeing while assisting others.
Implementing these measures ensures continuous support for your team and helps maintain the wellbeing of designated contacts.
4) Lead by Example
Promoting wellbeing in the workplace requires genuine culture change. Employees need to see leaders taking care of their wellbeing to feel they can do the same. When leaders visibly attend to their wellbeing needs, they set a positive example for others to follow. It’s one thing to promote wellbeing policies, but it's another to practice them consistently. When employees observe their managers taking breaks, managing stress effectively, and prioritising mental health, they are more likely to adopt these behaviours themselves. This creates a supportive and health-conscious workplace culture.
5) Balancing Wellbeing and Performance
Wellbeing cultures should not be mistaken for avoiding stress entirely. Performance and wellbeing must go hand-in-hand. When employees are supported to navigate challenges just outside their comfort zones, they develop resilience and a sense of accomplishment. Avoiding all stress can lead to boredom, while too much stress can cause burnout. Balancing these factors is key to optimising wellbeing and performance. Effective stress management helps employees stay engaged, motivated, and productive. By creating an environment that balances performance expectations with mental health support, businesses can enhance overall employee satisfaction and success.
Consider enrolling in courses that focus on optimising stress zones for wellbeing and performance. These courses help employees manage stress effectively, boosting both productivity and mental health. By understanding and applying strategies to maintain optimal stress levels, employees can improve their resilience and performance. Discussing the Stress and Burnout course from WellBe Link, which specialises in helping employees navigate their stress zones, can be particularly beneficial. This course aims to equip employees with the skills needed to manage stress constructively and perform at their best without compromising their mental health.