Making health and wellbeing work for your business

A total of 11.7 million working days were lost in the UK due to stress in 2015/16 (HSE, 2016). In today’s fast-paced working environment stress is the number one cause of long-term sickness absence (CIPD, 2016).

Business leaders are increasingly aware of the burden of ill health. They know that higher levels of health and wellbeing boosts productivity, performance, commitment and staff retention. Investors in People Scotland supports organisations to implement and improve approaches to health and wellbeing so that they really make a difference and drive business outcomes.

Timely review

As with any attempt to make changes to an organisation, a review of current practices must be undertaken. Continuous consultation with employees is essential. Achieving a work-life balance is important to everyone but what this looks like is different to each individual; invite your people to feedback via employee focus groups, surveys or interviews.

It is also essential to consider your organisational objectives; approaches put in place should ensure health and wellbeing activities go beyond the fruit bowl and support organisational objectives.

Giving employees greater control of their working arrangements boosts wellbeing and morale, reduces absenteeism and lateness and improves staff retention. Flexitime, time in lieu and working from home can improve work-life balance.

A reduced working week, consolidated hours, and job-sharing provides flexibility for employees without negative implications on employers.

Communicating options

Findings from consultations and alterations to approaches should be shared. Every job role will vary so management and leaders will have to demonstrate key decision-making and mentoring skills when implementing changes.

Investors in People Scotland provides the tools and guidance employers need to implement an approach to health and wellbeing that will drive business outcomes and create a happier, healthier workforce. With support from Investors in People Scotland, go beyond the fruit bowl and put in place robust and effective health and wellbeing practices which really make a difference.

 Karen Ormiston, Marketing and Communications Executive, Investors In People Scotland