HEALTH IN THE WORKPLACE
FEATURE Look after your staff
There’s a business case for making sure your staff are happy with their working environment. A healthy, happy workplace can help raise morale, improve productivity and minimise staff turnover. But what can employers do to champion employee well-being?
TAKE MENTAL HEALTH SERIOUSLY Work can be a big cause of stress to your employees,
which may not only affect their job performance but can also take a toll on their relationships and overall health. Long hours and high levels of stress are common triggers for mental health issues, as well as fear of redundancy, lack of control and increasing expectations, all of which can lead to a burnout. There are a number of steps an employer can take to
support mental health in the workplace. Discuss the needs of your staff, and what they feel that you, as an employer, can do to help them to reduce or manage stress. Give your managers the necessary training they need to better support employees with mental heath issues, and show them that you value their health and well-being.
LOOK AFTER EMPLOYEE PHYSICAL HEALTH For a great number of people, going to work means spending a large portion of the day sitting at a desk in front of a computer. For others, it can mean being on their feet for hours at a time. Over time, the physical effects of work could have a negative impact on the health of your employees, so it’s important to encourage healthy habits. Encourage regular short breaks away from computer
screens, and provide guidance on how to maintain a healthy posture when sitting at a desk for long periods of time. You can also encourage your staff to take a short, brisk stroll on their lunchbreaks, or implement a cycle-to- work scheme. Additional benefits, such as private healthcare, free eye tests and gym discounts, are all valuable perks that will demonstrate your commitment to employee health.
FLEXIBLE WORKING The standard nine-to-five workday has come under much scrutiny in recent years, with studies suggesting it’s not the most productive or healthy schedule for a growing number of workers. Allowing your workers some flexibility to balance their work and personal lives can have a hugely positive impact on their well- being. While allowing your staff to come and go as
they please might not be the most practical option for most employers, it is a good idea to offer a degree of flexibility wherever possible. For example, do your staff have
‘Over time, the physical effects of work could have a negative impact on the health of your employees, so it’s important to encourage healthy habits’
business network October 2019
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