6 HR & Recruitment Workplace


wellbeing With burnout on the rise globally, workplace wellbeing has never been more important. Words: Becky Bowden


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Last year, it was reported that a rise in burnout was happening globally, with the AXA Mind Health Study fi nding that more than a fi fth (21%) of UK adults were in emotional distress. T is must be addressed if companies wish to build a strong, loyal and motivated workforce going forward.


Open discussions Have you ever rang in sick with burnout as the cause, only to lie and say you have a cold? Open and honest discussions about mental


wellness are crucial in creating a positive working environment. “Key decision-makers have the


opportunity to play a pivotal role in mental wellness discussions and general wellness in the workplace,” says Patapia Tzotzoli, clinical psychologist and director of My Psychology Clinic. “As a strategic investment, focus should be twofold: First, prioritise employee personal growth and development. By fostering independence and emphasising continuous learning and


improvement of professional skills, employees remain inspired and knowledgeable about the business.” Secondly, says Patapia, employers


must encourage connection through informal social events to strengthen interpersonal relationships and build a sense of community in the workplace. “It’s important to help ensure a physically and psychologically safe work environment by implementing policies that actively promote inclusivity and diversity, such as hosting workshops on cultural


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Employees can tell the diff erence between a team exercise that’s been put in to tick a box, and most run a mile from what they consider ‘enforced fun’, opting for more authentic experiences


competency or establishing employee resource groups for underrepresented employees.” Patapia also recommends that


employers allow adaptability in work hours, remote working options and days off for self- care. “By prioritising personal growth and fostering a positive work environment, employers not only invest in the wellbeing of their employees but also lay the foundation for a more engaged, productive and successful organisation,” she adds.


Team-building T ere’s still room for team-building events in the workplace, but care should be taken in order to help all colleagues feel included. Jessica Shaw, director of PACT


Creative Training, explains: “People, on the whole, work hard, and want to feel valued by their employers. T ey can tell the diff erence between a team exercise that’s been put in to tick a box, and most run a mile from what they consider ‘enforced fun’, opting for more authentic experiences instead.” She continues: “What’s most


eff ective are team events that put relationships, communication and a sense of connection at the heart of their activities. We know that


Forget RTO, the UK’s talent crisis has bigger fi sh to fry


While the corporate world obsesses over ‘Return to Offi ce’, a deeper threat looms


T e UK’s education system, ill-equipped for the future, is creating a workforce more suited to a bygone era, not the AI-powered rocket ship on the horizon. T e real battle isn’t over desks


where, but ensuring the


and who sits right


skills


reach the right place. Whether it’s the tap of keyboards in Tokyo or code in Timbuktu, location matters


Keen to explore


global hiring in


more depth? Connect with Teamed, to


discuss innovative solutions for your workforce needs


less than talent in this new frontier, regardless of what your boss thinks. Sure, the allure of in-person collaboration holds sway. People crave the buzz of brainstorming and the serendip- itous


epiphany. But beneath this nostalgia


coff ee-break lies


a


chasm — a yawning mismatch between the skills the education system dispenses and those the digital


economy demands. A product-mar- ket-fi t mismatch. UK universities, once bastions of innovation, churn out graduates who are ill-equipped to navigate the ever-shifting sands of AI and blockchain. So, while everyone’s arguing


TOM PRICE-DANIEL


about ‘back to the offi ce’ (yawn!), smart businesses are doing some- thing totally diff erent: using EORs (Employers of Record) to tap into a secret talent pool — not down the road, but across the entire planet. Companies such as Teamed are like magic gateways, helping everyone from tiny start-ups to big business giants hire world-class talent, no matter where they live.


Don’t be fooled; everyone is at


it. Teamed alone works with 13 of the top 20 accountancy fi rms, not to mention scores of start-ups, scale-ups and SMEs. A world where a tech start-up in Manchester hires a coding whizz from Lithuania, an analyst in Birmingham collaborates with a fi nancial auditor in Cape Town, all seamlessly and eff ortlessly. Suddenly, the quaint confi nes of the offi ce shrink, replaced by a bound- less tapestry of human potential. T e offi ce-vs-home thing? T at’s


just a tiny subplot. T e real story is about rethinking education and understanding how skills, not desks, will defi ne the winners and losers of the future.


Get in touch with Tom Price-Daniel


E: tom@teamed.global teamed.global


genuine, strong bonds between staff are paramount for mental health in the work place. “A good team-building event


will make time for colleagues to interact naturally together, and see each other in the most ‘human’ light possible. “T e event should foster an


environment in which people feel that they can be themselves and let off steam, and create memories that forge stronger relationships,” says Jessica. “Joint activities and humour are a key part of workshops. Also, helping people to step out of their comfort zones in a way that feels safe for them is a very powerful tool.”


Private healthcare When a private workplace wellness plan is implemented, employees may be able to claim for psychotherapy, CBT, counselling and more. BUPA advises that employer health cash plans also allow staff to claim money back on many common health expenses, including dental, optical and prescription charges. Employees won’t need pre-authorisation or to undertake a medical, and pre-existing conditions will be covered, providing peace of mind and wellbeing for all.


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