Six reasons to tackle workplace wellbeing

 

As a small business owner, you'll know the importance of prioritising the health and wellbeing of your employees. Working in a small team means that an impact on one person will have effects on everyone else as well. 

 

Nobody wants their colleagues to feel under par - equally, employees who are starting to struggle with workplace wellbeing also do not necessarily share what's happening for them in case that has an impact on their colleagues. 

 

Of course, that in itself can mean a problem getting worse before you even realise it's there. 

 

The term 'workplace wellbeing' is not (just) about healthy eating or lunchtime yoga - although these can certainly help. 

 

Workplace wellbeing encompasses the financial, physical and mental health of employees, and refers to the overall state of wellbeing at work. 

 

These problems do not appear in isolation. A physical health problem like a bad back can lead to poor sleep which in turn leads to the inability to focus. Poor financial wellness can have severe consequences on mental wellbeing. Poor management or poor organisational culture can also impact quality of life. 

 

Being able to spot these signs of poor workplace health can make all the difference in developing and keeping a healthy workforce. That remains the ethos of Verve Healthcare - if we are to achieve our mission of helping businesses maintain and grow a happier and more productive workforce, we need to help everyone tackle it 'at source'. 

 

Unfortunately, workplace wellbeing issues can arise unexpectedly and have a significant impact on your business, from decreased productivity to increased absenteeism and presenteeism. 

 

Our regular workforce monitoring can help - being able to spot an issue early means we can speed your people to the best intervention for them before the problem becomes, well, a problem. 

 

Not only is it better for your people, but research also shows that the annual cost of early intervention is cheaper for your business. A study carried out by researchers at Corcorida University in Canada suggests 'that it is cheaper and more effective for employers to offer resources to help workers cope with stressors before it becomes a crisis.' 

 

Here are six benefits of being able to spot these signs early: 

 

One of the most significant benefits of being able to spot signs that workplace wellbeing is worsening is that you can intervene early. By recognizing the early signs of stress, burnout, or other wellbeing issues, you can take action to address the problem before it escalates. This can help to prevent more serious issues down the line and promote a happier, healthier workplace. 

 

When workplace wellbeing is high, employees are more likely to be productive and engaged in their work. By spotting signs of wellbeing issues early and taking action to address them, you can help to improve employee morale and promote a more positive work environment. This, in turn, can lead to increased productivity and better overall performance for your business. 

 

Poor workplace wellbeing can lead to increased absenteeism, which can have a significant impact on your business. When employees are struggling with wellbeing issues, they may be more likely to take time off work or call in sick. By spotting the signs of these issues early and taking action to address them, you can help to reduce absenteeism, improve mental wellness and keep your business running smoothly. 

 

When employees feel valued and supported in their workplace, they are more likely to stay with the company long-term. By prioritizing workplace wellbeing and being able to spot signs of issues early, you can create a workplace culture that promotes employee retention. This can help to reduce turnover and save your business time and money in the long run. 

 

Poor workplace wellbeing can have a significant impact on company morale. When employees are struggling with stress, burnout, or other wellbeing issues, it can lead to a negative work environment and decreased morale. By being able to spot signs of these issues early and taking action to address them, you can promote a more positive work environment and boost company morale. 

 

As a small business owner, your reputation is important. By prioritising workplace wellbeing and being able to spot signs of issues early, you can show your business values good people management. This can help to attract top talent for your job roles and improve job satisfaction and your relationships with customers and clients. 

 

In conclusion, being able to spot signs that workplace wellbeing is worsening can have significant benefits for your business. By intervening early, you can prevent more serious issues down the line and promote a happier, healthier workplace. This can lead to increased productivity, reduced absenteeism, improved employee retention, better workplace morale, and a positive reputation for your business. 

 

By prioritizing workplace wellbeing and being proactive in addressing issues, you can create a successful and sustainable business for the long term. 

 

If you would like to improve physical wellbeing, mental wellbeing, employee mental health or financial stress for your team, then get in touch. 

 

Verve Healthcare is not a Private Medical Insurer, nor is it an Employee Assistance Programme. Verve Healthcare’s focus is solely on workplace wellness. 

We help you and your staff stay well and happy, and in doing so keep productivity and engagement high. 

 

We do this by monitoring the physical and mental health of your staff through a series of focussed questions. This helps provide an early warning before things go wrong. Being able to spot an issue before it becomes a problem makes all the difference. 

 

It’s all anonymous for the individual, but we will also give employers a dashboard so that they can see any emerging themes and address systemic problems too. We will provide regular monitoring and reporting and speed your people to the most appropriate intervention. 

 

These could involve self-help materials, financial counselling, occupational health, mental health conversations or one of a wide range of other interventions. 

For company-wide interventions, you may benefit from wellbeing initiatives or a targetted wellbeing programme, new management practices or other interventions. 

 

We find, and the research shows, that business leaders who embrace a holistic approach to workplace health and workplace wellbeing programmes and devote senior management support can deliver real benefits. This reduces mental health issues, improves workplace wellbeing and physical wellbeing, and also has a positive impact on the basic health of the team. In turn, this leads to better performance management and meaningful relationships.