Tag Archives: Business

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We’ve been published in the latest Public Health England [PHE] report!

Exciting news! We have recently been included in the latest Public Health England [PHE] report on identifying promising practices in health and wellbeing for the workplace.

 

Selected from 117 submissions, The Healthy Worker provided vital research into the importance of helping businesses provide effective health and wellbeing strategies, for the significant reduction of employee absence and sick leave.

 

The influential report, officially entitled ‘Promising Practices for Health and Wellbeing at Work’, was commissioned by PHE to review the current landscape of health and well-being interventions available to Employers, as it can be difficult to know the impact that workplace wellbeing initiatives are having.

 

Liz Preece confirmed: “I am delighted that The Healthy Worker has been included in this PHE report, which has taken a robust approach to research evidence, and showcases improved wellbeing for individuals plus the cost benefits of implementing effective wellbeing interventions for employees.”

 

A comprehensive document, the 100 plus page report highlights the latest evidence that a healthier workforce is a more productive workforce and cites effective interventions from both large-scale providers and SME’s who are able to provide research based evidence of the effectiveness of their interventions.

 

‘It’s fantastic to see the range of health and well-being organisations nationwide, which are supporting employers provide for improved mental and physical wellbeing for their staff. Avoiding workplace related ill-health and proactively enabling employees to improve their health and wellbeing is the future for successful organisations of all types’ explained Liz. ‘This report highlights those within in the wellbeing sector who have sought ways to evaluate the impact they are having and demonstrates that by focussing on effective wellbeing interventions, businesses can improve their own outcomes whilst also empowering their staff to thrive and grow with them.’

 

To find out more about the PHE and RAND report, please read here: https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/research_reports/RR2400/RR2409/RAND_RR2409.pdf

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Come along to our new well-being forum!

We’re excited to announce the launch of our NEW well-being forum, dedicated to helping Worcestershire Employers improve health and well-being in the workplace.

 

With the first event to be held at The Three Pears on the 4th July 2018, the Well-Being Forum is free to attend and will provide a friendly platform to support businesses in improving well-being in the workplace; enabling participants to ask questions, share experiences and offer support for one another.

 

Liz Preece, Founder and Managing Director of The Healthy Worker, explained: “Businesses lose over 15 million working days to stress, anxiety or depression each year, therefore it comes as no surprise that over 50% of Senior Managers now place improved employee wellbeing high on the agenda, according to the latest results from the CIPD Health and Wellbeing Survey.”

 

“These figures alone magnify the importance of putting strategic steps in place to ensure staff are working in a healthy, supported environment. By creating something like the Well-Being Forum, Employers can start to explore their own well-being strategy, guided by the Healthy Worker team and other industry professionals. It will also provide an excellent opportunity for networking with like-minded local professionals.”

 

To gain primary research, Liz conducted a survey to gain insight into the wellbeing needs of local businesses and their priority areas for action moving forward. With the aim of then engaging relevant local stakeholders who can join together to help provide a boost for Workplace Wellbeing within Worcestershire and the surrounding areas.

 

“This survey provided me with the best possible primary research, ensuring I can tailor the forum to the current needs and wants of local employers.” explains Liz. “The first meeting will be held at The Three Pears on the 4th July from 9am, and I’m delighted to welcome Rachel Vann, of Malvern Hills’ District Council, who will host a talk on improving well-being in the workplace, following their success in winning the Chamber of Commerce ‘Health and Well-Being in the Workplace Award.”

 

For more information and to keep up to date with more news on the Well-being forum, please visit contact liz@thehealthyworker.co.uk or get in touch on 01684 231461.

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How can you motivate and encourage your employees?

Are your employees fired up and passionate about what they do? Do they show enthusiasm to start the day and hit their targets? In any business, there will be days where employees don’t have that get-up-and-go attitude, but if you’re staff are disengaged more often than not, it can have a significant impact on productivity.

 

Successfully improving wellbeing and motivating your employees is not as challenging as you may think – even small changes can make a big difference in staff morale. Here are 7 techniques that Managers and Supervisors can use in your organisation to encourage their teams:

 

1. Acknowledging achievements.

It’s important to recognise the hard work that staff put in on a daily basis to help the company achieve its objectives. Something as simple as giving praise and saying thank you for a completed job or even a good idea will mean more to a team member than you might think and is one of the most effective ways to give your employees a boost in morale. Don’t forget, being positive with others who have done a good job can help your wellbeing as well as theirs!

 

2. Demonstrate trust.

Trust forms the basis of our relationships which are a key component to our wellbeing, and a key factor in employee performance. When staff don’t feel trusted by their superiors, workplace engagement often suffers, but on the flip-side, employees who do feel trusted tend to be higher performers and go the extra mile. Let your staff take the lead on projects or campaigns, present new ideas in meetings or manage communications with clients. The more confidence you have in your team, the more confident they will be in taking on new challenges and pushing themselves to learn new things. Allowing others to take the lead can also help your work – home balance.

 

3. Encourage personal development.

When employees learn new skills it not only benefits them and their wellbeing, but also the company. Letting your staff know that you’re willing to invest in their professional growth is a great source of motivation. Some businesses will support their staff financially, offering further education or courses outside of work. However, if you can’t offer financial aid for self-improvement, you can still be flexible and allow staff to add webinars, courses or seminars into their schedules – within reason of course.

 

4. Promote from within.

For many business owners, it’s important to fill the company with hard working, knowledgeable people who will help to achieve long-term growth and while sometimes a role will require external talent, it’s important to look inwards and promote current staff. Promoting from within will not only strengthens your company culture by retaining the best employees, but it sends a message to everyone in the organisation that you are willing to reward hard work and offer opportunities for progression.

 

5. Be flexible.

We’re all looking to strike the perfect work-home balance, so the ability to offer your employees flexibility in the workplace is invaluable. Some of your staff may be parents or grandparents looking after children, others may have clubs or other commitments outside of work; it’s important to remember that everyone is different and juggling a variety of things in their personal lives which impact their wellbeing and ultimately their engagement. Offering employees flexible hours or the ability to work from home for example are great ways to boost this.

 

6. Have some fun.

Maintaining a positive working environment isn’t just about what goes on in the office – there are numerous benefits to team building and social interactions between colleagues outside of work. Organise office parties, birthday celebrations, dinners and nights-out or even off-site work activities. A change of scenery and social time allows for colleagues to bond, get to know each other and promotes collaborative working. Building good relationships is a key component of our wellbeing too.

 

7. Talk about mental health.

The workplace is an important place to have a conversation about mental health, but sometimes it can be difficult for staff to open up and discuss it with co-workers or managers. Employers need to show they’re open to talking about mental health and that staff won’t be discriminated against or judged because of any mental illness. Whether it’s stress in the workplace or a member of your team is struggling with depression, making your workplace a comfortable environment can help employees feel happier, more confident and more productive.

 

Every business is different and it’s important to find the right motivational methods that work for you and your staff. Focusing on those methods which improve wellbeing is a great start and ask your staff through focus groups or surveys, about what’s important to them. Then, by making some small changes in your workplace, you can ensure your staff feel inspired, motivated and look forward to every Monday morning!