This is not just a public health crisis, it’s an economic and social challenge, especially in the workplace.

Since 1980 the number of people living with diabetes has quadrupled to approximately 537 million.

This is predicted to increase to approximately 643 million people by 2030.

So, what can companies do to help prevent this health concern among their employees?

In this blog we’ll help you to understand diabetes, how it impacts the workplace, and most importantly what companies can do to help prevent it.

Contents

The Rapidly Growing Health Concern Employers Are Ignoring (Video)

Understanding Diabetes

The Importance of Employer Support

5 Practical Steps for Employers

1. Education: The Foundation of Diabetes Management
2. Promote Exercise: Encouraging an Active Workforce
3. Healthy Food Options: Fuelling the Body and Mind
4. Create Wellness Programmes: Continuous Support is a Must
5. Create a Culture of Health and Wellbeing: Health is Wealth

The Rapidly Growing Health Concern Employers Are Ignoring (Video)

Understanding Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic health condition characterised by elevated levels of glucose in the blood, stemming from the body’s inability to effectively use or produce enough insulin.

While there are several types of diabetes, Type 2 diabetes is the most common, accounting for around 90% of all cases worldwide.

Unlike Type 1 diabetes, which is primarily genetic and involves the immune system attacking pancreatic cells that produce insulin, Type 2 diabetes is largely preventable and closely linked to lifestyle factors.

Key risk factors include obesity, physical inactivity, poor diet, and genetic predisposition.

The insidious nature of Type 2 diabetes means that it can develop slowly over time, often going undiagnosed until complications arise, making awareness and early detection critical.

Fortunately, with appropriate lifestyle modifications such as maintaining a healthy weight, engaging in regular physical activity, and adopting a balanced diet, individuals can significantly reduce their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

Moreover, for those already diagnosed, these changes can help manage the condition effectively, preventing complications and improving quality of life.

Understanding Type 2 diabetes is crucial, as it underscores the power of preventive measures and the significant role that lifestyle choices play in our overall health.

By focusing on prevention and management, we can mitigate the impact of this growing health concern and support individuals to “Live Life Better” (Our Slogan).

The Importance of Employer Support

In the face of a rapidly escalating diabetes epidemic, the role of employers in supporting the health and wellbeing of their staff has never been more critical.

Diabetes, particularly Type 2, poses significant challenges not only to the individuals affected but also to the broader organisational structure.

It can impact productivity, employee morale, and healthcare costs.

One of the most tangible impacts of diabetes on the workplace is its correlation with increased absenteeism and reduced productivity.

According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, employees with diabetes are more likely to take sick leave compared to those without the condition.

In fact, individuals with diabetes have between 5.4 and 18.1 days of absenteeism compared to between 3.4 and 8.7 days for those without diabetes

The research highlights that individuals with diabetes may require time off for medical appointments, to manage diabetes-related complications, or to cope with the side effects of treatment.

This not only affects the individual’s health and wellbeing but also the operational efficiency of their teams and the organisation as a whole.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the indirect costs of diabetes are substantial. These costs include absenteeism, reduced productivity, and the inability to work due to diabetes-related disability.

The CDC estimates a total of $327 billion in medical costs and lost productivity.

This situation further emphasizes the economic argument for employer involvement in diabetes prevention and management.

Employer support can take many forms, from implementing comprehensive wellness programs to fostering a health-conscious culture.

Wellness programs may include diabetes screenings and education, providing the resources needed for employees to manage their health effectively.

By offering support, employers can help mitigate the impact of diabetes on both the individual and organisational levels.

This involves creating an inclusive environment that recognises the unique challenges faced by employees with chronic conditions and provides flexible options to accommodate their health needs.

For example, allowing flexible work hours for medical appointments or providing healthier food options in the workplace can make a significant difference in managing diabetes.

Moreover, employers who actively support their employees’ health and wellbeing send a powerful message about their values.

This can lead to increased job satisfaction, loyalty, and a positive workplace culture.

Investing in health promotion and disease prevention not only aids in reducing the incidence of diabetes among employees but also contributes to a more engaged, productive, and healthy workforce.

In summary, the support of employers is indispensable in the fight against diabetes.

Taking proactive and practical steps to address the impact of diabetes on work life is essential.

Through these actions, employers can play a pivotal role.

They enhance the health outcomes of their employees and secure the health of their business.

The benefits of such initiatives extend beyond the individual, contributing to a healthier, more resilient society.

5 Practical Steps for Employers

Whether you’re a small organisation or a large established one, these are steps that can help you to combat the growing epidemic of diabetes.

1. Education: The Foundation of Diabetes Management

Education is crucial in the fight against diabetes, serving as both a preventive measure and a management tool.

Employers have a unique opportunity to empower their workforce with knowledge, making education a pivotal first step.

By organising regular workshops, online seminars, and health talks led by professionals, employers can provide valuable information on the risk factors, prevention strategies, and management of diabetes.

This initiative not only raises awareness among employees but also equips them with the tools they need to take charge of their health.

Incorporating educational resources into the company’s wellness program, such as distributing informative newsletters or creating an online health portal, can further reinforce the importance of health literacy.

Ultimately, an informed workforce is a healthier workforce, making education an essential investment in the long-term wellbeing of employees.

2. Promote Exercise: Encouraging an Active Workforce

Promoting exercise is a critical step for employers aiming to combat diabetes within their workforce.

Regular physical activity is known to improve insulin sensitivity and help manage blood glucose levels.

This makes it an essential component of diabetes prevention and management.

Employers can encourage a physically active workforce by introducing initiatives such as subsidized gym memberships, on-site fitness classes, and creating walking or cycling groups for commuting.

Encouraging employees to implement walking meetings and take active breaks during the workday can also contribute to increasing daily activity levels.

Organising company-wide challenges or fitness events can foster a sense of community and motivation among employees to stay active.

Check out our “7-Day Wellness Challenge” It’s a great way to encourage employee health.

By creating a supportive environment that values physical health, employers not only aid in the prevention of diabetes but also contribute to overall employee wellness.

This leads to a more energetic, productive, and healthy workplace.

3. Healthy Food Options: Fuelling the Body and Mind

Offering healthy food options at work is a vital step employers can take to support diabetes prevention and management among their employees.

Nutrition plays a key role in regulating blood sugar levels, and by providing access to nutritious meals and snacks, employers can make it easier for employees to make healthier dietary choices.

Initiatives could include partnering with local vendors to supply fresh, whole foods, installing healthy vending machines, or offering fruit baskets and healthy snack options in common areas.

Employers can also organise nutrition workshops or cooking demonstrations to educate employees on how to prepare balanced meals that support blood sugar management.

Implementing a policy that encourages healthier food options during meetings or company events can further reinforce this healthy eating culture.

By prioritising nutritional health in the workplace, employers can help employees maintain stable energy levels throughout the day.

This can improve focus, productivity, and overall wellbeing, all while combatting the risk of diabetes.

4. Create Wellness Programmes: Continuous Support is a Must

Creating comprehensive wellness programs is an essential step for employers dedicated to fostering a healthy workplace environment and combating diabetes.

These programs should offer a holistic approach to health, addressing not just physical wellbeing but also mental and emotional health.

A well-rounded wellness program might include components like health screenings for early detection of diabetes and other health conditions, wellness workshops, smoking cessation support, mental health first aiders, exercise classes, and more.

Employers can also introduce incentives for participation, such as rewards or competitions, to encourage engagement and motivation among employees.

To ensure these programs meet the diverse needs of their workforce, employers should seek input from employees on what types of support and activities they would find most beneficial.

Additionally, providing flexible participation options can help accommodate different schedules and lifestyles.

This helps to ensure all employees have the opportunity to engage.

By investing in wellness programs, employers not only aid in the prevention and management of diabetes, but also contribute to a culture of health.

This benefits all aspects of employee wellbeing, leading to a more satisfied, productive, and resilient workforce.

5. Create a Culture of Health and Wellbeing: Health is Wealth

Cultivating a culture of health and wellbeing is essential in the fight against diabetes and in promoting overall employee health.

This means creating an environment where making healthy choices is both encouraged and easy.

Employers can lead by example, showing their commitment through participation in wellness programs and making health-conscious decisions part of the company’s identity.

To embed wellness into the company culture, consider initiatives like flexible schedules for exercise, spaces for relaxation, and policies that encourage healthy behaviours.

Celebrating health achievements and sharing wellness tips and success stories can reinforce the importance of health.

Key to this cultural shift is making sure wellness is inclusive, accommodating diverse health needs and preferences.

By doing so, employers not only support diabetes management but also build a workplace where everyone feels valued and motivated to maintain their health.

Overall leading to a more productive and satisfied workforce.

To conclude, the fight against diabetes is an opportunity for employers to champion workplace wellness.

By prioritising a healthy workplace culture employers can significantly impact diabetes management and prevention.

These efforts not only enhance employee health but also contribute to a more engaged and productive workforce.

The commitment to employee wellbeing is an investment that benefits everyone.

At Loving Life, we help companies support the health and wellbeing of their employees.

Get in touch to see how we can work together to support your workforce.

Author 

Tyler Lowe – Health & Wellbeing Speaker

BSc Sport & Exercise Rehabilitation

The post Diabetes | The Rapidly Growing Health Concern Employers Are Ignoring! appeared first on Loving Life.

Contents

What is Employee Engagement?

What are Employee Engagement Webinars?

What are the Benefits of an Employee Engagement Webinar?

What are Examples of Employee Engagement?

Why is Employee Engagement Important?

How Can Companies Promote Employee Engagement?

What is Employee Engagement?

Employee engagement refers to the level of emotional commitment and involvement employees have towards the organisation or company they work for.

Engaged employees are often more motivated, productive, enthusiastic, and perform their job to the best of their abilities.

Overall, engaged employees have a better sense of wellbeing and are more valuable to a company’s day to day business activities.

What are Employee Engagement Webinars?

Employee engagement webinars are online seminars or workshops that are designed to help employers improve the level of engagement and motivation among their employees.

These webinars typically cover topics such as communication, teamwork, leadership, and other areas that are relevant to building a positive, productive and healthy work environment.

Many organisations use webinars like these as a way to provide employees with training and development opportunities without having to bring them all together in one physical location.

What are the Benefits of an Employee Engagement Webinar?

There are many potential benefits to using employee engagement webinars as a training and development tool for your organisation. Some of the key benefits include:

Increased engagement and motivation among employees

By providing employees with regular opportunities to learn and grow, you can help keep them engaged and motivated in their work.

Improved communication and collaboration

Employee engagement webinars can provide a forum for employees to share ideas and learn from one another, which can help improve communication and collaboration within the organisation.

Reduced costs and increased flexibility

Webinars can be a cost-effective and flexible way to provide training and development opportunities to employees. Unlike in-person training sessions, webinars can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection, which makes it easy for employees to participate regardless of their location.

Increased knowledge and skills

Training can provide employees with access to expert knowledge and information that they can use to improve their skills and abilities.

Improved retention and recruitment

By investing in the development and growth of your employees, you can help improve retention and make your organisation more attractive to potential recruits.

What Are Examples of Employee Engagement?

Some examples of employee engagement activities might include:

• Participating in team-building activities or company-wide events
• Providing input and feedback on important decisions
• Taking on additional responsibilities or challenging assignments
• Volunteering for community service or charitable events
• Organising employee health initiatives such as wellbeing webinars or workshops
• Sharing ideas and suggestions for improvement
• Demonstrating a positive attitude and willingness to help others
• Attending training and workshops to learn new skills

Overall, employee engagement is about fostering a positive work environment and creating opportunities for employees to connect with their work and their colleagues in meaningful ways.

By promoting employee engagement, organisations can help to improve job satisfaction, productivity, overall morale and both mental and physical wellbeing.

Why is Employee Engagement Important?

Employee engagement is important for several reasons. First and foremost, engaged employees are typically more motivated and productive than those who aren’t.

This can have a positive impact on an company’s bottom line, as engaged employees are more likely to produce high-quality work and generate positive results for the company.

Additionally, engaged employees are typically more satisfied with their jobs and less likely to leave the company. This can help to reduce turnover and save on the costs associated with hiring and training new employees.

Engaged employees are also more likely to act as advocates for the business, spreading positive word-of-mouth and helping to build the company’s reputation.

This can be particularly valuable in today’s highly competitive business environment.

Finally, promoting employee engagement can help to create a positive work culture and improve the overall work environment.

When employees are happy and engaged, they are more likely to enjoy coming to work and to contribute to a positive atmosphere.

This can help to foster a sense of community and collaboration, leading to better teamwork and stronger relationships among colleagues.

How Can Companies Promote Employee Engagement?

There are many ways that companies can promote employee engagement. Here are a few ideas:

• Communicate openly and transparently with employees, and make sure that they understand the company’s goals and values.
• Provide opportunities for employees to provide input and feedback on important decisions.
• Offer regular training and development opportunities to help employees grow and improve their skills.
• Provide health initiatives and education. E.g wellbeing workshops
• Recognize and reward employees for their contributions and accomplishments.
• Encourage employees to take on additional responsibilities and challenging assignments.
• Foster a sense of community and collaboration among employees, and create opportunities for them to work together and get to know one another.
• Provide a supportive and positive work environment, and address any issues or concerns that employees may have.

Overall, promoting employee engagement is about creating a culture of trust, collaboration, and support within the organisation.

By taking steps to promote employee engagement, companies can help to improve job satisfaction, productivity, and overall morale.

Author –

Tyler Lowe – Health & Wellbeing Speaker

BSc Sport & Exercise Rehabilitation

The post The Benefits of Employee Engagement Webinars appeared first on Loving Life.

Whilst eating a balanced diet and getting your five a day is essential for optimal health and fitness; exercise and physical activity are just as important.

It is easy to live a life with limited natural physical exercise in the modern world, when a sedentary desk job is common and commuting to work is typically by car or public transport. This makes us aware of the importance of consciously scheduling time for exercise, whether it’s a walk in the park or some weightlifting at the gym!

When is National Fitness Day?

National Fitness Day 2022 will be on 22 September as it was last year.

Thanks to the participation of the UK’s gyms, pools, leisure facilities and internet providers, over 22 million people of all ages, skills and backgrounds were motivated to get active on this day.

Why do we have National Fitness Day?

National Fitness Day is a terrific time to start or enhance your fitness journey. By establishing a workout programme, you will notice both physical and emotional benefits.

By engaging in just 150 minutes of moderate activity each week (for adults), you are already lowering your risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer!

Since the Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the effect on mental health this has been recognised as an even more prominent concern than in previous years. Sport has long been regarded as one of the most effective approaches to counteract mental health deterioration.

People often find themselves not participating in sports and fitness for a variety of reasons, including lack of time, confidence or funds, as well as access to local facilities. Sometimes the scaremongering might make individuals feel bad for not following the advice.

Therefore, for one day, it is suggested that you set aside your guilt and excuses and have some fun being active.

4 ways companies can participate in National Fitness Day

The morale, health, and wellbeing of our workforces have never been more vital for all organisations.

The challenges faced by businesses over the last couple of years will have presented a wide range of different obstacles. There is no question that the uncertainty is here to stay for the time being; nevertheless, one thing is certain – fitness can unify us.

Individually, we know that there has been a shift in personal attitudes towards fitness throughout the global pandemic. It is now more critical than ever that employers encourage their staff to become more active.

Online sessions

With the ongoing restrictions, it’s critical that everyone feels secure when participating in exercise activities.

Online sessions will continue to promote client participation but from the comfort and safety of their own homes. With a motivational instructor leading the activity, all you need is a camera and household objects to get everyone engaged.

Loving Life offers webinars and workshops to companies seeking to improve the wellbeing of their workforce. On National Fitness Day, companies can select our tailored online energiser session or improve your physical wellbeing webinar so that their employees can get involved.

Organise an event/competition

Encourage participation with a National Fitness Day themed competition or event, such as a strength contest or a stamina-based run. This will motivate employees to compete against one another, generating interest and increasing engagement with a bit of friendly rivalry.

You might want to provide additional incentives, such as a free month’s gym membership as a reward to entice people to work out after the event.

Group Activities

Running a National Fitness Day group activity will encourage employees to be active together. This can be anything from a group swimming class, tennis lessons or even a yoga class. This is equally important for mental wellbeing. Being active together means sharing the experience with the ability to support and encourage each other.

Organise a trip to your local leisure facility

Companies might arrange for their staff to visit their local sports centre together, improving their physical health and team morale.

Gym operators and physical activity providers throughout the UK play a prominent role on the day. They deliver free trial sessions and gym passes to the public. Sports sessions, swimming, ‘plank-offs’, yoga and pilates courses, treadmill challenges, high-street HIIT (high-intensity interval training) classes, dance-offs, mass walks, and many more activities will be available to your staff so start your planning now!

The post National Fitness Day appeared first on Loving Life.

It’s critical to choose presents for your staff that are meaningful and personal, or that make a genuine impact in their lives.

With Blue Monday, the most depressing day of the year, approaching, it is important to express your gratitude for your staff.

With lockdowns and remote working taking their toll during the gloomy winter months, we’ve compiled a list of 5 wellbeing-boosting gifts ideas to cheer up your staff.

What is staff wellbeing?

The condition of a staff member’s physical and mental health as it relates to working directly in the workplace is referred to as staff wellbeing, also known as employee wellbeing. This might involve their physical health, posture at their desk, connections with supervisors, co-workers, and clients, as well as their mental health and emotional wellbeing.

Promoting staff wellbeing is beneficial to both individuals and organisations since it may help minimise stress and promote healthy working conditions.

According to the CIPD’s health and wellbeing report, just 40% of UK firms have a distinct employee wellbeing programme, according to a poll conducted by HR managers. Furthermore, mental health is the leading cause of long-term unplanned absences, accounting for 56% of all long-term absences.

Why is employee wellbeing important?

Work is important in most people’s lives, and not simply because it provides a source of revenue. It can provide us with a feeling of purpose and accomplishment, as well as an opportunity to socialise and form connections with our co-workers.

Every year, people with mental health issues lose their jobs at a rate that is almost double that of those without a mental health issue, and considerably greater than those with a physical health problem.

Working might have a bad impact on one’s mental wellbeing at times, but it can also have a very good impact. A welcoming, inclusive workplace can assist to avoid new mental health issues and enable those who are struggling with their mental wellbeing to continue at work and flourish.

Why should you give your staff a wellbeing gift?

A thoughtful gift is sometimes the greatest approach to show your team that you care, especially if they have lately been experiencing poor moods or loneliness.

Furthermore, research reveals that actions of generosity might help enhance your staff’s mental wellbeing! It generates happy emotions, a sense of accomplishment, and may increase their self-worth by providing them with a sense of societal purpose.

Furthermore, wellbeing gifts are excellent for your company’s image. When staff feel appreciated, they will spread the news. This will result in a stronger public image and a greater chance of acquiring top talent.

5 wellbeing gift ideas for your staff

Onsite Massages

Getting a massage at the office offers physical benefits as well. At some time during the day, many people at work suffer a loss of energy. This may be related to a lack of blood flow to the body’s cells.

Traditional massage techniques increase healthy blood flow throughout the body. It also wakes up all of your cells and reactivates your brain, in addition to enhancing corporate wellbeing.

As a result of repetitive strain, office workers who are stooped over their computers all day may get substantial and chronic neck and back discomfort, muscle stiffness, and arm, wrist, and hand issues.

Getting a massage at work may assist employees in working out knots and reducing muscle stress.

Candles

Scented candles, especially those filled with essential oils, are wonderful for unwinding.

Lavender, rose, and chamomile, in particular, is known for their relaxing properties. Aromatherapeutic candles are effective in the treatment of a variety of psychological and physiological diseases. Depression and anxiety candles are particularly popular.

A candle’s warm glow provides various advantages for someone trying to enhance their sleep hygiene. A candle’s flame is a far superior option to a smartphone’s blue light.

With the capacity to reduce cortisol, scented candles can assist to promote calm and alleviating stress symptoms. Certain candles are made to trigger brain chemicals like serotonin and dopamine, which help to maintain a pleasant mood.

Exercise Workshops

Investing in a remote exercise workshop for your staff demonstrates that you care about their wellbeing. When they’re going through a difficult period, it’s more vital than ever for them to take care of themselves physically.

If you have a globally dispersed staff, video-based services might be a terrific method to demonstrate your appreciation.

Loving Life provides tailored online energiser sessions. It is possible to participate in a private live session. A two-way live stream is included in their 10-15 minute online private corporate energiser sessions. This allows employees to interact with one another as well as the instructor.

These sessions do more than keep your team in shape. During these incredibly disjointed times, they also aid team bonding.

Company retreats

Companies can benefit greatly from retreats for team building, brainstorming, and relaxed creativity. Companies could see improved cooperation and productivity during their getaways.

You might organise a one-day offsite retreat near your office or a multi-day excursion out of the country. You may be creative, have fun discussing ideas, and create an atmosphere that everyone will appreciate while preparing the perfect business retreat for your team.

Time Off

One of the finest methods to demonstrate employee gratitude is to give them time off work. This provides your staff with the freedom to visit friends, volunteer, practise a hobby, or take a brief vacation.

These additional days off do not need to be scheduled or constant. An unexpected additional day off might show a hardworking employee how much you value their efforts.

For information on 5 workshops that will support your employees’ wellbeing, check out our blog here!

The post 5 Wellbeing Gift Ideas for your Staff appeared first on Loving Life.

Staff wellbeing has become increasingly talked about due to the impact of the pandemic and we’re here to give you a guide on not only supporting your staff but some of the benefits, as well as some staff wellbeing ideas.

Working with staff wellbeing can be challenging and the information provided here aims to make your job that little bit easier.

What is staff wellbeing?

Staff wellbeing, also known as employee wellbeing, is the state of a staff member’s physical and mental health, which are associated with working directly in the workplace. This can include their physical wellbeing, their posture while working at their desk, their relationships with managers, colleagues, and clients, as well as their mental health and emotional state.

How can you support staff wellbeing?

Firstly, it’s always a great idea to start with what staff need support with. If employees are stressed because of excessive workloads or unrealistic demands, then think about how you can implement strategies to help them through this. Whether it’s directly helping them with their workload, putting things in place to ease the pressure, or providing training on how to cope with the stress. This is a good start in supporting them.

Staff wellbeing is a broad topic and there isn’t a one-time fix. Wellbeing initiatives should be accessible, relevant, and impactful.

With many employees now working from home, services like wellbeing webinars are becoming increasingly popular as a way of supporting staff and employees with their wellbeing needs.

Employers should be looking at the needs of their teams and colleagues to determine what is best for the company, organisation, or workplace.

Initiatives such as mentoring and buddy systems are great ways to support new starters. This can help new team members feel valued, listened to, and help them to build confidence which is a great start in supporting wellbeing in their new job role.

Providing safe and comfortable spaces for staff to work and carry out their daily duties is an important factor when supporting staff. If employees are unable to carry out their daily tasks due to a lack of resources, support, training, or motivation, how can employers expect staff to perform to the best of their ability?

Having natural light, plants, and break areas is another way to promote positive wellbeing in the workplace. According to studies, plants in the workplace have been shown to improve air quality, concentration, and workplace satisfaction, so making a comfortable and green environment is likely to contribute to positive staff wellbeing.

Alternative services such as employee motivation sessions, away days, team building activities are all great additional schemes an employer can do to support the wellbeing of their staff.

What is a staff wellbeing strategy?

A staff wellbeing strategy is a plan, structure, and ongoing commitment to the wellbeing of its employees. Many organisations adopt a monthly, quarterly, or annual wellbeing strategy so that they can budget for relevant services accordingly. One of the easier strategies to follow is the annual wellbeing calendar. This gives a list of all the wellbeing events due to take place that year which an employer can follow.

Following the annual wellbeing calendar is an easier way to cover generic wellbeing-related topics, however, just because April is stress awareness month, it doesn’t mean staff won’t experience stress outside of April. This is why it’s important to monitor your staff and deliver relevant services all year round.

Services like Coping with stress webinars and workshops are initiatives that can be delivered all year round and act as a great way of contributing to the support of staff wellbeing.

Employees seem to appreciate organisations that adopt a wellbeing strategy that isn’t just focused on a tick box exercise. Having a dedicated wellbeing lead or ambassador to organise such events helps to show staff that there is a genuine commitment to their wellbeing.

48% of staff who state their employer doesn’t care about their wellbeing feel less motivated and have considered looking for a new job. Companies who take staff wellbeing seriously can reduce turnover by up to 87%.

What are the benefits of supporting staff wellbeing?

When it comes to supporting staff and their wellbeing there are countless reasons why this can be beneficial to both employer and employee.

Some of these benefits include:

• Increase productivity – A happy workforce is a productive workforce. When staff are feeling healthy, they tend to display healthier behaviours, such as an increase in productivity, concentration, awareness, as well as improved decision making.
• Reduce staff stress – According to the HSE in 2020 17.9 million working days were lost in the UK due to stress, depression, or anxiety.
• Attract better talent – According to Forbes, showing potential employees that you care about their health and wellbeing, in some cases, can be the deciding factor as to whether they join your organisation or not.
• Increase job satisfaction – There has been shown to have a direct correlation between job satisfaction and health.
• Reduce sick leave and time off work – 55% of working days lost are due to stress, depression, and anxiety, and companies that focus on employee wellbeing can help to reduce shocking statistics like these.

What are some staff wellbeing ideas?

Lunch and Learns

Lunch and learns are quite a popular wellbeing initiative. They can be pretty inexpensive to run and they’re a great way to get teams together and educate them on a range of topics. A lunch and learn typically has a guest speaker and the company often provides lunch for their employees.

Some companies invite employees to speak on topics they’re knowledgeable about which also helps to save costs.

Lunch and learns must be optional as this is not to everyone’s liking, but it’s a great way to help keep staff motivated, provide them with new and fun information, as well as get colleagues together.

During the pandemic, this has been difficult, but some companies have opted for engaging wellbeing webinars as a way of incorporating this into their monthly wellbeing strategy.

Wellbeing Champions

Wellbeing Champions are volunteers among staff who focus on improving the health and wellbeing of their colleagues. Having wellbeing champions among staff can help to generate ideas, incentives and provide peer support for employees. Wellbeing champions are another way of empowering individuals but also showing your staff that you have a genuine commitment to their wellbeing.

Weekly Exercise Classes

We all know that exercise has many benefits and this remains true whether in or outside the workplace. Regular exercise has been shown to help reduce the chances of a range of health issues including Coronary heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and more!

Providing weekly exercise classes such as yoga, boxing, circuit training, or even things like running clubs, are all initiatives that can be implemented as part of your wellbeing strategy.

Encourage Work-Life Balance

To some members of staff, work-life balance can feel like an impossible feat. Staff who feel that they may lose their job or be punished if they can’t meet the demands of their job, often allow work to interfere with their personal life. Employers mustn’t allow this to happen. Working extended working hours has been shown to contribute to employee stress which can often lead to time off work and breakdowns.

Start a Wellness Wall

Having a wellness wall is just one of the ways staff can share their tips on improving their wellbeing. It’s also another way to get wellbeing ideas directly from employees. Using ideas given by staff to support their wellbeing is another way to show them that they are being listened to, and you are taking action on their suggestions. Of course, not everything will be appropriate but it’s good to see how staff feel and implement their ideas.

Provide a Massage Service

Massage has been shown to have a range of benefits including:

• reducing stress
• improving circulation
• reduce muscular tension
• improve sleep

The benefits are countless.

On-site massage is yet another way to help staff’s physical and mental wellbeing. Having a chair massage for as little as 15 minutes can significantly improve employee mood, reduce stress, reduce muscular tension, and more!

For more information on bespoke staff wellbeing training please get in touch here!

Author 

Tyler Lowe – Health & Wellbeing Speaker

BSc Sport & Exercise Rehabilitation

The post Staff Wellbeing Essentials, Benefits & Ideas appeared first on Loving Life.