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32 . Glasgow Business January/February 2014


return on investment was calculated at £3.73 for each £1 spent. In sectors where there are skill shortages,


having a reputation as a good employer that looks aſter its people is an important factor in atracting and retaining talent. Atitudes to employee wellbeing have


developed far beyond the ‘duty of care’ that an employer legally owes to their employees, and organisations today offer a wide range of benefits, from free fruit and visiting masseurs to free medical care and confidential employee assistant programmes – all aimed at keeping people in tip-top condition. Tis is because research shows that healthy


staff will perform beter and take fewer sick days. People with higher levels of psychological wellbeing learn and solve problems more effectively, are more ready to embrace change and more enthusiastic about new challenges. Stress is a big problem in today’s world,


as highlighted in a recent UK workforce survey by King’s College London with law firm Speechly Bircham. Tis report found that longer working hours are still prevalent and the impact of higher workloads, coupled with an uncertain business environment, have created higher levels of stress, absenteeism, and a new phenomenon: presenteeism – atending work while sick. It is estimated that illness at work costs UK


employers £12.2 billion a year as a result of sick days taken, so it is in the interests of an organisation to support employees returning to work and, where possible, look at ways to promote good health in the first place. As mentioned, one of the major contributing


factors to increased sickness levels is poor mental health, including stress, depression and anxiety which, according to an ACAS report in 2012, are believed to be responsible for 91 million lost working days each year. Even though the source of stress may not be


work-related, such as personal debt and family breakdown, it can still impact on an employee’s performance. But it is a difficult issue to tackle as people are generally reluctant to raise their problems at work and so the situation can build up until breaking point. SAMH, the Scotish Association for Mental


Health, estimates that one in six employees in the UK are affected by mental health issues. In addition to its activities in the community, SAMH works with companies to provide training and support to HR departments and managers so that they can understand the issues of mental health, and support employees experiencing mental health problems. Hilary Douglas, SAMH Corporate


Partnerships Manager, said: “A partnership with SAMH can help build awareness of mental health issues and create a culture where people are confident to talk about how they are feeling and get support – this helps the individual in their recovery and also benefits the company through reducing absenteeism and presenteeism.” Cognitive therapy is a growing technique


used in helping people in distress with various mental health issues and it’s a practice that can be learned at Glasgow Cognitive Terapy


“A well-placed piece of praise for an individual or consistent encouragement to a team can go a long way to helping employees realise they are valued”


Centre. Te centre offers training and a Diploma course in Cognitive Terapy, as well as counselling, which can be a important skill for companies’ employees to have in order to help enhance good communication skills. Hilda Smith, GCTC Director, said:


“Learning about Cognitive Terapy is very rewarding and has many applications in promoting wellbeing as well as developing new approaches to customer service and dealing with the public.” Talent retention is also a big incentive to


implement wellbeing policies in some sectors where recruitment is competitive. Tese can be built into the employee package, such as including private healthcare, childcare vouchers, cycle-to-work schemes and subsidised gym membership. Halo Dental Group, part of DTS


International, has successfully launched a corporate dental membership plan for employees for regular check-ups, dental hygiene visits and discounts off dental treatment. Laura Junior, DTS International Marketing


Manager, explained the benefits: “We have a range of membership plans that include guaranteed same day emergency treatment as well as evening appointments so as to minimise disruption to work. And, as we are part of one to the largest


dental laboratories in Scotland, we can arrange speedy restorations for employees with atractive discounts. It’s another good way for companies to offer atractive benefits to their employees.” Some companies, such as Google,


are renowned for creating stimulating environments for employees to enhance their enjoyment of being at work – giant play slides, breakout areas with ‘energy pods’, 3D TVs, games consoles pool tables and even giant Jenga! While these might provide fun diversions,


nothing can substitute good management and the role managers have to play in encouraging wellbeing at work. It’s all down to good communications and


providing employees with a clear career advancement plan with plenty of cross training, and a work environment that allows for a good work/life balance. A well-placed piece of praise for an


individual or consistent encouragement to a team can go a long way to helping employees realise they are valued at work. Sometimes a simple “thank you” for a


job well done is far more powerful than a free banana.


*The Vielife/IHPM/Harvard Medical School Health and Performance Research Study, October 2005.


Step up for Healthy Working Lives


Unfortunately, some health problems are a result of lifestyle choices, such as poor diet, smoking and little exercise and growing obesity. The Healthy Working Lives


Award Scheme offers a multi- component health, safety and wellbeing programme, similar to that studied in the Harvard research mentioned earlier. Gaining an award could


help organisations reap the benefits of providing a healthier and safer workplace and by reducing absence, and increasing productivity and staff retention.


Mary McGibbon, Health


Improvement Senior, Healthy Working Lives – Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: “Taking part in the Healthy Working Lives Award programme can help your organisation to implement policies and procedures


to raise awareness of the benefits of a healthier lifestyle and improve understanding of the links between good work and staff health and wellbeing. This helps raise awareness of


the links between a healthier workforce and improved performance at work, and nine out of 10 our clients say HWL makes a positive difference to their operations.”


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