Workplace wellbeing

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Why workplace health and wellbeing is important

In 2021, 75.6% of adults were in employment, on average spending a third of their waking hours in the workplace.

In the UK, 32.5 million working days were lost to work-related ill health in 2019/20. Stress, anxiety and depression were the causes for almost 18 million of these[1].

Workplaces with positive work culture and structures to support staff often have better health and wellbeing of the workforce.

Stressful and unsupportive workplaces can contribute to ill health[2]. Workforces are healthier if they feel challenged and motivated and enjoy their jobs.

There is a financial and moral business case for investing in employee health and wellbeing. Investing in workplace mental health can have an average return of £5 for every £1 spent.

The Farmer-Stevenson study of 200 organisations[3] shows that 'a manager mental health training programme can lead to a significant reduction in work-related sickness absence, with an associated return on investment of £9.98 for each pound spent on training’.

COVID-19 put increased strain on workplaces and highlighted the importance of employee health and wellbeing.

An increase in the amount of people working from home meant there was a need for a health and wellbeing strategy. This would enable staff to work safely and feel supported to make healthy lifestyle choices.

Find out more information about workplace wellbeing

What employers can do

Employers can put a workplace health and wellbeing strategy in place to support the workforce.

They can:

  • provide staff with services, resources and activities to promote good health and wellbeing
  • manage and prevent sickness, absence and presenteeism (a person at work, but unproductive)

This can include initiatives such as:

  • an employee assistance programme
  • a step challenge
  • exercises classes
  • mental health first aiders
  • flu vaccinations
  • staff health checks

Business In The Community have a wealth of resources about wellbeing in organisations with best practice examples, including the Workwell Model

Support with employee health and wellbeing

We are committed to supporting businesses to thrive in Barnet.

There are a number of initiatives in place such as Healthier Highstreets and general business support

The Public Health team can provide guidance on how best to support your employees and how to make a business case for better workplace health and wellbeing.

If you would like to have a conversation or find out more email workplacewellbeing@barnet.gov.uk

Since the London Healthy Workplace Award has come to an end, we are exploring options for a better workplace health and wellbeing offer and award for Barnet businesses. If you have a business in Barnet, please fill out this 1 minute survey

[1] Employee health and wellbeing | CIPD Viewpoint

[2] https://www.local.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/health-work-and-health-re-904.pdf (2016)

[3] https://www2.deloitte.com/uk/en/industries/government-and-public-services.html