What is 'workplace wellness'?
The importance of creating a company culture for a successful business
Written by Orla Ni Bhriain
The evolution of the workplace in just the past two decades has seen us take giant strides. In context, the smoking ban in UK workplaces was introduced just thirteen years ago. The thought of a colleague lighting up mid-way through the day is now unfathomable. In the past ten years many firms have sought to become increasingly kinder, more considerate and consistent in terms of their focus on their employees, taking into account factors such as nutrition, mental health and physical health. In fact employee wellbeing has become an industry and a key consideration in strategic decision making when it comes to the creation of policies, and the retention of employees.
A simple Google search shows multiple ranking lists in terms of the best wellbeing friendly companies to work for, with many now offering alluring incentives that can include flexible working hours, discounts on gym memberships, private health insurance and daily yoga classes. Sweaty Betty, the fitness retail company, with a focus on women’s activewear, offer employees a 50% discount on all Sweaty Betty products, free exercise classes, flexible working schemes, childcare support and ‘Fresh Fruit Mondays’ [1.].
Similarly, big tech firm, Google, have on-site canteens offering a multitude of complementary food options for staff, as well as being dog friendly in all locations. Innocent, a UK based health-oriented smoothie company, offer their employees many incentives that include free gym on site, a yoga club, and mental health resources and sabbaticals.
Aside from policies and initiatives created to make themselves alluring to employees, many organisations have at times taken a more novel approach when it comes to lifting the spirits of their workforce. UK company Paws in Work offer in-house puppy therapy to companies across the UK. Ashley Fry, founder of Paws in Work says the service has many benefits ‘it’s common scientific knowledge that caring for an animal can help with depression, stress, loneliness and even ADHD. Puppies bring it up a notch’.
According to Fry the service doesn’t just benefit humans ‘puppies get brilliant social experiences that help them to learn how to act around people, how to play with each other and how to be calm in new situations’. Paws in Work’s client list includes a diverse list of big firms including Google, MTV, and Ralph Lauren.
In spite of how far we’ve come with workplace wellbeing initiatives, a 2019 HSE Labour Force Survey found that stress was reported to be the cause of almost 54% of workplace related absenteeism, that’s a total of 12.8 million working days lost to work-related stress, anxiety and depression.[2] A 2020 study by Perkbox found that In 2020, of British adults in employment – a staggering 79% commonly experience work-related stress [3]. Men's Health magazine recently surveyed 1,200 male workers, and almost half (44%) said they'd struggled with anxiety in the workplace [4].
The topic of wellbeing in the workplace has become even more pertinent in recent months. COVID-19 came unexpectedly this year and created multiple unforeseen stressors for many of us, but also - many positives. Working from home has become the new norm, and we have been challenged to learn a new way of being.
So what have organisations been doing to focus on the wellbeing of their employees throughout these unprecedented times?
Paws in Work have made sure staff are well looked after ‘we've bought each of our employees a puppy... just joking (they wish!)... We’ve been having lots of team fitness sessions on zoom and work out challenges throughout the weeks. We've also had "team drinks" and are constantly sending each other puppy pictures on our whatsapp group.’
Trent Scanlen, our Truth Managing Director believes vehemently in the importance of a strong company culture. He says, “hiring good people is essential for the success of Truth, and we strive to keep our team happy. Despite being on a virtual platform, we aim to support any of our team when they have anything personal going on by allowing them to take personal days whenever they need. Although we all work extremely hard, our team also laugh a lot on calls and we want to encourage that kind of environment. In terms of COVID-19, we have been lucky that business has still been strong. However, we wanted to make sure that mentally our team was supported. We set up a weekly check-in/ game day when lockdown began, and have provided company access to online gym classes through Elevate Martial Arts.”
What can you do to support your colleagues' wellbeing as lockdown eases?
1. Be Aware - Quite often helping someone else is as simple as reaching out. If you notice a person who you’re working with is struggling, check in with them and offer suggestions that may allay their anxieties.
2. Share Netflix and podcast suggestions - Many people, particularly those who have been left alone during lockdown, are suffering from loneliness. A simple tv or podcast suggestion can be enough to lift someone's spirits for a few hours.
3. Encourage your colleagues to stay active and ensure they’re looking after their health - Until gyms reopen, there are plenty of resources available for online classes, particularly yoga and meditation. Elevate Martial Arts are offering a range of online classes on Zoom, from HIIT to yoga and MMA, from a highly experienced team of instructors.
4. Be realistic - According to a recent YouGov survey, 44% of respondents agreed they felt anxious about returning to their workplace because of Covid-19 [2.]. If your co-workers have concerns about returning to office spaces, or travelling on public transport, etc. talk it out and see how you can help. It’s important to manage expectations and be aware that COVID related anxiety has impacted all of us in different ways.
5. Be kind - Small acts of kindness hold big weight in times of difficulty. Think of small things you can do to alleviate your colleague's workload and stresses. Your good deeds will most likely help to boost your morale too.
What can you do to support your colleagues' wellbeing as lockdown eases?
1. Be Aware - Quite often helping someone else is as simple as reaching out. If you notice a person who you’re working with is struggling, check in with them and offer suggestions that may allay their anxieties.
2. Share Netflix and podcast suggestions - Many people, particularly those who have been left alone during lockdown, are suffering from loneliness. A simple tv or podcast suggestion can be enough to lift someone's spirits for a few hours.
3. Encourage your colleagues to stay active and ensure they’re looking after their health - Until gyms reopen, there are plenty of resources available for online classes, particularly yoga and meditation. Elevate Martial Arts are offering a range of online classes on Zoom, from HIIT to yoga and MMA, from a highly experienced team of instructors.
4. Be realistic - According to a recent YouGov survey, 44% of respondents agreed they felt anxious about returning to their workplace because of Covid-19 [2.]. If your co-workers have concerns about returning to office spaces, or travelling on public transport, etc. talk it out and see how you can help. It’s important to manage expectations and be aware that COVID related anxiety has impacted all of us in different ways.
5. Be kind - Small acts of kindness hold big weight in times of difficulty. Think of small things you can do to alleviate your colleague's workload and stresses. Your good deeds will most likely help to boost your morale too.
We hope these examples & tips have helped you in understanding the importance of supporting your colleagues through various health & wellness strategies. Use these tips within your own businesses, even if it is by suggesting some within your workplace!
Any topics you would like to hear more on? Email talk@truthorigins.co.uk
References
[1] https://techround.co.uk/business/10-companies-supporting-employee-wellbeing/
[2] https://www.cipd.co.uk/about/media/press/anxious-returning-workplace
[3] https://www.perkbox.com/uk/resources/library/2020-workplace-stress-survey
[4] https://www.hrmagazine.co.uk/article-details/male-anxiety-in-the-workplace-must-be-addressed
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