Employee wellbeing is company wellbeing

Up and down the country offices receive a daily basket of fresh fruit and for many this forms part of their wellbeing initiatives – and for some – is their only wellbeing offering. But it isn’t enough. Here’s why.

Employer accountability

Employee wellbeing is company wellbeing – a company can only grow when its people grow. And many workplace environments actually hinder growth rather than nurture it.

According to a recent CIPD survey, 86% of respondents said they had observed ‘presenteeism’ – working while unwell – in the workplace. What drives us to be present at work when unwell? Often, it’s the pressures of the work environment, manager’s expectation and/or company culture.

Our very ability to perform our role can be affected when our wellbeing suffers. Research from CABA found that over half of respondents experienced stress, anxiety or depression as a result of poor personal wellbeing at work. And 74% felt that their concentration was impacted with 53% seeing poorer results and or performance.

There's a clear disjoint between what employees value and what is currently provided by employers. Recent research from Deloitte illustrates this:

Is your organisation holding itself accountable for its role in the health of its people?

The work environment – stress inducing or growth enhancing

Conditions such as anxiety, depression and unmanageable stress are experienced by one in six UK workers each year. The work environment and poor job design can play a huge role in the manifestation of these conditions.

In fact, according to a REBA survey, 73% of employers themselves say high pressure work environments are the biggest threat to employee wellbeing and are worried about the negative impact on their employees.

Making wellbeing a priority in your business can lead to increased productivity, improve staff performance and reduce absenteeism. But the very fabric of people’s lives is often shaped by the time spent at work. And it’s imperative that employers hold themselves accountable for the role they play in creating the conditions which negatively impact employees’ health and wellbeing.

Our next blog will look at the steps employers should take to address wellbeing at work.