Employee Wellbeing is a key trend in 2019. Businesses are promoting employee wellbeing and steps they have taken to improve the work environment. I am so enthused when I hear these statements but sometimes when I read on, I find there is a lack of substance. Maybe change has occurred. However, I don’t always get the sense that wellbeing is embedded into the company culture. Businesses may therefore see short-lived benefits and not long-term change. This leads me to question whether we are doing enough?
As two of my passions are strategy and business productivity, I am convinced that a properly defined and implemented wellbeing strategy can create tangible benefits in productivity. When you look at the widely available statistics on productivity and health in the UK, you can see clearly that there is action to be taken.
The standout statistic is that lost productivity days cost the UK economy £81 billion. Imagine the positive impact we could make on the UK economy if we effectively addressed wellbeing.
The idea that better life choices improve quality of life and productivity is not news. However, it was news to me that the least healthy employees lose an estimated 45.4 days productivity per year. Whereas healthier employees lose an estimated 20.2 days per year. That is an incredible difference of 25.2 days! Unhealthy choices impact work productivity by an additional three weeks per year.
What could your business do with an extra 25 days of productivity per employee per Year? What kind of financial impact would that make on your business and on the economy?
Employee wellbeing is not just the arrangement of massages or healthy snacks in the vending machine. It is a call to action to make ourselves, our businesses and our country a better place.
ViewHR can provide documentation, situation management and wellbeing training. However, before taking steps toward wellbeing, think first about culture and strategy. I would recommend getting some specialist support to get the strategy right to ensure you get the desired impact.
I recently had the pleasure of meeting Renée Clarke through the Dorset Chamber of Commerce. Renee is a real champion of employee wellbeing. There are some fantastic resources available through her Work Well Hub and Renee can provide consultancy support with your creating your strategy. Strategy is essential to making productivity gains.
HR and Training information available at www.ViewHR.co.uk and further wellbeing information can be found on Renée’s website www.workwellhub.com
Written by Heidi Roper