Business | Top Tips 6.


SHARE SOCIAL TIME AND KEEP CONNECTED


THE PRINTING CHARITY OFFERS A FREE, CONFIDENTIAL HELPLINE, PROVIDING EMOTIONAL SUPPORT 24/7/365


Since the Covid pandemic led to changes in work patterns and locations, ensuring employees feel connected as part of a team can be challenging. According to the Burnout Report, half of UK workers are based in a fixed location, while just over a quarter have ‘hybrid’ or ‘agile’ working arrangements - 12% work from home, and 9% are based away from home, but in various locations. Getting everyone together in person at set points is important. It’s a way


to make sure that in-person connections are built, experiences shared, and team bonds strengthened. These meet-ups can be in both business and more relaxed settings, and punctuated by online catch ups, helping create transparency through clear and regular internal communication. Summarising each week’s activity over e-mail or via a company intranet is also a good way to ensure that everyone, wherever they are based, is kept in the loop.


Businesses can use ‘buddy systems’ to link new starters with longer-


term employees, creating connections and helping to fill knowledge gaps for those starting out, as well as introducing new ideas from fresh eyes throughout the organisation. And of course, having fun with colleagues cements a sense of positive teamwork.


Social initiatives include quiz afternoons, annual summer staff parties, and drinks and meals, as well as more unusual breaks from the workplace routine, such as craft workshops, games days or baking contests.


8.


BRING THE OUTDOORS IN


Physical activity and spending time in nature are both proven to be a great support in maintaining mental wellbeing. A simple way to do this is to hold ‘walking meetings’ or encourage team members to take lunch outside in a local park or other natural space. Organisations in the print industry have embraced this in other ways, too, through initiatives such as creating wild gardens, planting trees, making havens for wildlife and even ‘growing your own’, helping staff get physically active for positive purposes, while providing a breath of fresh air and an important moment of peace.


Other organisations have seen the positive impact of incorporating movement into the working day through activities including on-site Pilates classes; discounted gym memberships; company fitness challenges and even movement-based after work activities such as regular team sports.


9. 7.


UPSKILL ON WELLBEING


A wide range of initiatives and activities have been implemented by businesses in the print industry to help their teams learn more about how to support their own, and their colleagues’, wellbeing. These include mental health first aid training, sessions with a health and wellbeing coach, daily wellbeing e-mails and webinars on different aspects of wellbeing.


An increasing number of businesses are choosing to train


employees as Mental Health First Aiders (MHFAs), a vital first line of company support for people facing challenges. It’s important to have MHFAs from different departments and different demographic groups, wherever possible, as people often feel more comfortable talking to someone in a similar position to them.


As the saying goes, ‘knowledge is power’, and through initiatives and training like this, employees feel empowered and able to offer real support to each other.


GIVE BACK TO YOUR COMMUNITY


Helping others in the local community through initiatives such as volunteering, charity fundraising events and litter picking encourages businesses to pull together and enjoy the rewarding impact of effective teamwork while making a visible difference.


10.


BUILD A SUPPORTIVE CULTURE


Every organisation is different and has different opportunities open to them, so creating a supportive culture isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ solution. However, these following elements can be embraced as building blocks towards creating a supportive workplace culture where everyone can thrive because they believe their wellbeing matters in an environment where psychological safety is treated with the same respect as physical safety. Celebrating differences in backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, means organisations gain the benefit of each employee’s unique capabilities while also creating a supportive and understanding atmosphere, where people feel comfortable discussing their mental health challenges without fear of judgement or stigma. Mental Health First Aid England offers some great free resources to help with this, including ‘My Whole Self: Guide to creating inclusive workplace cultures’. For everyone working in print, paper, packaging, graphics and publishing, the Printing Charity offers a free, confidential helpline, providing emotional support 24/7/365, along with practical information and advice. The helpline enables employers to provide their team members with trusted, independent help whenever its needed.


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