With employee absence costing UK businesses an estimated £30 billion a year in wasted wages, lost working days, and decreased productivity, it’s simply not an issue that can be ignored. Stress in particular is one of the biggest reasons for prolonged time off, but if organisations place a greater emphasis on employee wellbeing, it’s also very avoidable.
Maintaining a healthy workforce is vital in ensuring your team is happy and motivated, and essential in ensuring optimum productivity. Which is why we’ve detailed below eight top tips to help you look after your employees, and ensure you’re not only proactive when resolving health issues faced by your employees, but focused on making sure their wellbeing is a priority at all times:
Flexibility.
Offering flexible working patterns can not only ensure staff are more productive, but more likely to feel less stressed and tired. What’s more, statistics show that people who work from home on occasion clock up more hours (outside normal working hours), are more positive, and are more likely to not take time off.
Investment.
Spending money on health and wellbeing in the workplace can actually be an investment in the longer term. For example, introducing healthy food in the canteen or installing bike racks to encourage cycling to work, can encourage staff to engage in a healthy lifestyle.
Staff Benefits.
From healthcare plans to discounted gym membership, wellness incentives can encourage employees to take better care of their health, and in return help increase motivation, productivity, and morale.
Education.
The workplace is one of the best environments to encourage a healthy lifestyle, so whether it’s informative posters around the office or actual wellbeing seminars, staff can take the tips they’ve learnt at work and implement them at home Engagement.
Monitoring.
Make sure you monitor your staff and know when they’re not their usual self. Whether they’re overworked, stressed, or on the brink of an illness, introducing measures to prevent this is far better than cure.
Engagement.
Regularly ask employees their views on health and wellbeing within their individual working environments, and involve them in decision making. This way you can see what your employees really think and how you can improve.
Monitoring.
Make sure you monitor your staff and know when they’re not their usual self. Whether they’re overworked, stressed, or on the brink of an illness, introducing measures to prevent this is far better than cure.
Training.
Train senior level staff members to know the signs of staff anxiety in the workplace, and encourage them to be proactive when it comes to supporting employees who may be vulnerable.
Lead by Example.
It’s all very well encouraging a healthy lifestyle, but make sure it’s something you implement too if you haven’t already, your employees won’t take it seriously if you don’t.
As employers you have a duty of care to your employees, and implementing a health and wellbeing strategy can not only ensure your most precious assets are looked after, but can bring a whole host of benefits to your entire organisation too.
Introducing simple measures really can help decrease employee absence, increase productivity and offer that competitive edge. Remember, happy and healthy employees mean a productive and high performing workforce!
For further information on how to ensure the wellbeing of your staff please call 01902 371010.