Wellbeing @ Work – what can YOU do?!

​Sometimes it is good to stop and look back at how far we have come in a relatively short amount of time. Only 100 years ago, if you survived childhood, the most likely cause of death was WORKING!! 

​These days, although it may still feel like it will be the death of you, sickness and injury infrequently comes from an accident caused by machinery. 

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We have the much maligned Health and Safety at work act to thank for that. However, there is very little health and safety applied to the strain of dealing with the mental pressures of the modern workplace. Stress is the biggest cause of sickness absenteeism with potentially career ending burnout as a risk of ignoring the strain. 

The popular new thing in the workplace is an emphasis on wellbeing. But what does that actually mean? The official definition is, ‘The state of being comfortable, healthy or happy.’ Personally, I would like all three! Even more, what can you do about your own wellbeing at work -just in case your company does not offer a programme or what your company offers does not match your need?

How does a wellbeing programme work for you? Wellbeing can go in two directions, either you are trying to solve a problem - e.g. lose weight or cut back alcohol, or you are trying to attain a goal - take up exercise or become more realistically positive. Maybe it is to have more flexible work hours or more meaningful involvement in your work. So stop for a moment and think:

1.    What does wellbeing at work mean for you?
2.    What would have the greatest benefit for you?
3.    Does your company offer a wellbeing program?
4.    If yes, what does it offer?
5.    If yes to #3, have you partaken in any activity?
6.    If yes to #5, what did you do?
7.    If yes to #3, what are the gaps? (What you want versus what they offer?)
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Maybe ask a few of your work associates to answer the same questions and then share the responses, if helpful, with the appropriate person in the company.

​Why would a company WANT a wellbeing program?

If your company does not have a wellbeing programme, then here are some encouraging reasons for them to start one. They will gain staff that has:

1.    A greater ability to deal with change
2.    A mental ‘toughness’ attitude
3.    Improved morale and motivation 
4.    Increased time on task and attendance
5.    Better decision making skills
6.    Less workplace stress and tension 
7.    Superior positive productivity – ‘can do’ attitude
8.    Enhanced work communication and support
9.    An individual action plan for wellbeing 
10.    Strengthened engagement and work satisfaction
11.    Coping strategies for any situation
12.    The feeling the company 'cares for them'.

Wouldn’t you want to experience those positive results?
Now let’s look at why a company might not want to have a wellbeing programme, here are some of those reasons:

Why would a company NOT want a wellbeing program (and a rebuttal!)?

1.    Cost ....    (However the ROI is generally 3:1*)
2.    Investment.... (However it is not necessary to buy equipment and any empty space can be used to start with)
3.    Time....     (However it can be run before or after work or at lunch)
4.    Personnel...  (However to start it is best to recruit a volunteer/champion)
5.    Philosophy – (However it has been proven that personal and professional must mix!)
6.    And, by the way, stress costs UK companies approximately 190 million lost days a year.

What does it take to START a wellness program?
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1.    Very little! You can do it! Just recruit a volunteer committee, people interested in wellbeing
2.    Conduct a simple questionnaire - respond to needs
3.    Start slowly - lunch time program, wellbeing optional tasters
4.    Involve local wellbeing groups or people
5.    Make it a regular commitment.

Please let us know what you will do and how it went! If we can help in any way, we are happy to assist with people and resources to get you and your company having a magnificent wellbeing programme 

*A Harvard study found that companies who provide worksite wellness programs have an average return on investment of $3.27 to 1 due to reduced health-care costs and a return on investment of $2.73 to 1 due to reduced absenteeism. 

Vanda North
The Resilient Warrior Woman