13 July 2022
In recent times, the workplace has been through a change that has not been seen for decades. This might be down to the Covid-19 pandemic and other reasons but organisation policy is changing slowly and employers are now taking a new approach. Following a period of working from home and furlough, HR teams are now looking over their existing policies to determine how they can fit around a changing world.
So, what policies could you introduce for your teams as a way of enhancing retention, productivity and engagement?
Health and mental wellbeing
Employee wellbeing goes far beyond just minimising health issues and health-related absences. The World Health Organisation consider wellbeing at work “a state of complete physical, mental, and social wellbeing” – so it encompasses all areas of working life. Promoting wellbeing at work can help create a positive working environment by minimising stress levels, improving employee satisfaction and engagement, and ultimately helping your employees thrive at work. We believe a happy and healthy workforce is essential in building a successful business. Putting the steps in to support this can be hard work but ultimately rewarding.
Financial Wellbeing
The cost of living crisis has taken over the UK in recent months and many people are finding that their finances are becoming tighter. This can have a negative effect on their wellbeing and can cause both mental and physical problems but still, there are not many policies in place to deal with this. As a result, there has been a call for large businesses to implement financial wellbeing policies to support staff which include:
- Access to advice and resources
- Financial planning advice such as pension advice or planning for maternity leave
- Improved employee benefit schemes that include financial benefits
- Flexible working to assist with those who need to manage childcare or work from home to save on travel costs
- A commitment to ensure that employees receive the Real Living Wage
Burnout Policies
Wellbeing has been a priority over the previous two years in particular, as people have had to deal with a wide range of challenges during the pandemic. Mental health is at the forefront of change in the workplace and many people have suffered recently, so it is important that employers do as much as possible.
What this has meant is that employers have implemented measures that are designed to support staff while also ensuring they are helped to deal with the pressures that came with Covid-19. Some businesses have started giving staff more time off as a way of recognising their efforts while some have opted to implement schemes that are aimed at encouraging them to take more time for themselves. Mental health costs employers as much as £45 billion on an annual basis but for every £1 they invest in mental health interventions, they can make back £5 as a result of turnover and a reduction of absenteeism. This is a clear incentive for businesses to implement policies that support the wellbeing of employees.
Through the review of existing policies and by making changes, it is easy to create a workplace that is understanding, accepting and supportive, all of which is something to consider when discussing happy employees.
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