The Role of Managers in Supporting Employee Wellbeing
Contents
A Story About a Manager and Supporting Her Employees
The Manager’s Role in Supporting Employee Wellbeing
The Wellbeing Workshop Advantage
5 Benefits for Managers Who Support Employee Wellbeing
5 Ways Managers Can Support Employee Wellbeing
The Happy Ending for The Manager and Her Team
Once Upon a Time in the Workplace
Meet Sarah, a manager at a large tech firm. She’s been noticing a dip in productivity and an increase in sick days among her team members.
Her employees seem stressed and unhappy, and Sarah knows that something must change.
That’s when she stumbles upon an article about employee wellbeing, which piques her interest.
She realises that her role as a manager is not just about achieving targets and deadlines but also about supporting the overall wellbeing of her team.
In this article, we’ll explore the role of managers like Sarah in supporting employee wellbeing, dive into the benefits of wellbeing workshops, and discuss the five key benefits managers stand to gain from supporting their employees’ wellbeing, as well as five ways managers can support employee wellbeing.
The Manager’s Role in Supporting Employee Wellbeing
Managers play a crucial role in ensuring the wellbeing of their employees.
They set the tone for their team’s work environment, making it a priority to create a supportive and positive atmosphere.
By actively engaging with their employees and promoting a healthy work-life balance, managers can help to reduce stress and foster a more productive and engaged workforce.
One way managers can support employee wellbeing is by organising and promoting wellbeing workshops.
These workshops provide employees with the tools and resources they need to improve their mental, physical and emotional wellbeing.
By participating in these workshops themselves, managers can demonstrate their commitment to supporting their employees’ wellbeing while learning valuable skills to help them become more effective leaders.
The Wellbeing Workshop Advantage
Wellbeing workshops offer both in-person and online sessions, which cater to different learning preferences and make them accessible to a wide range of employees.
These workshops cover topics such as coping with stress, improving physical wellbeing, building confidence, creating life-changing habits, and more!
For example, in a coping with stress workshop, employees learn about the causes and effects of stress and how to manage it effectively.
They’re given practical strategies to help them cope with stress both in the workplace and in their personal lives.
Managers who participate in these workshops can then lead by example, demonstrating healthy coping mechanisms and encouraging employees to apply the skills they’ve learned.
Similarly, a physical wellbeing workshop may teach employees how to improve their physical health, helping them to stay healthy and feel good.
When managers incorporate a healthy culture into their own working day, they create a positive ripple effect throughout the team.
By promoting wellbeing workshops and participating in them, managers like Sarah can make a significant difference in their employees’ lives while also improving the overall performance of their team.
5 Benefits for Managers Who Support Employee Wellbeing
Higher Productivity and Engagement
When employees feel supported and cared for, they’re more likely to be engaged and productive. Managers who prioritise employee wellbeing will see the benefits reflected in their team’s performance, as happier employees are more likely to be committed to their work and produce higher-quality results.
Reduced Absenteeism and Turnover
Stress and burnout can lead to increased absenteeism and turnover, as employees struggle to maintain their wellbeing in a demanding work environment.
By supporting employee wellbeing, managers can reduce the frequency of sick days and help to retain valuable team members, saving time and resources spent on hiring and training new employees.
Improved Company Reputation
A company that values employee wellbeing and provides resources such as wellbeing workshops is more likely to be seen as a desirable place to work.
Managers who support employee wellbeing will contribute to a positive company culture, which can help to attract top talent and give the company a competitive edge.
Enhanced Team Dynamics
When employees feel supported and valued, they’re more likely to collaborate effectively and maintain strong working relationships with their colleagues.
Managers who prioritise employee wellbeing will see the benefits in their team’s dynamics, as employees are more likely to trust one another and work together towards common goals.
This positive team atmosphere can lead to increased creativity and innovation, as employees feel comfortable sharing ideas and taking risks.
Personal Growth and Leadership Development
By participating in wellbeing workshops alongside their employees, managers can improve their own mental and emotional wellbeing.
They can also develop key leadership skills, such as empathy, emotional intelligence, and effective communication.
These skills can help managers become more effective leaders and create a better working environment for their teams.
5 Ways Managers Can Support Employee Wellbeing
Managers play a crucial role in supporting their employees’ wellbeing, and there are several effective strategies they can implement to achieve this.
Here are five ways managers can help to foster a healthy work environment and support employee wellbeing:
1. Provide Wellbeing Training and Resources
Investing in employee wellbeing training is an excellent way to equip your team with the tools they need to manage stress, build resilience, and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Wellbeing workshops, provide valuable training in areas like improving health, emotional intelligence, and stress management.
In addition to in-person workshops, consider offering wellbeing webinars for employees who prefer online learning or have scheduling constraints.
These webinars can cover a range of wellbeing topics, allowing employees to access essential resources from the comfort of their homes or offices.
2. Encourage Work-Life Balance
Managers can support employee wellbeing by actively promoting a healthy work-life balance.
This may include implementing flexible work schedules, encouraging employees to take regular breaks, and respecting their personal time by avoiding sending work-related emails or messages outside of business hours.
By fostering an environment where employees feel comfortable prioritising their personal lives, managers can help to reduce stress and prevent burnout.
3. Foster Open Communication
Creating a culture of open communication is essential for supporting employee wellbeing.
Managers should encourage employees to share their concerns, ideas, and feedback without fear of judgment or retaliation.
This can be achieved by holding regular check-ins, providing opportunities for anonymous feedback, and actively listening and responding to employees’ needs.
4. Recognise and Reward Employees’ Efforts
Acknowledging employees’ hard work and achievements can go a long way in supporting their wellbeing.
Managers can show their appreciation through verbal praise, written recognition, or tangible rewards such as bonuses or promotions.
By celebrating employees’ accomplishments, managers can help to boost morale, increase motivation, and foster a sense of belonging within the team.
5. Lead by Example
Managers should model the behaviours they wish to see in their employees.
By participating in wellbeing workshops and webinars, practicing self-care, and demonstrating healthy work-life balance, managers can set a positive example for their team.
This can help to create a supportive work environment where employees feel empowered to prioritise their own wellbeing.
By implementing these strategies, managers can play a vital role in supporting their employees’ wellbeing, ultimately leading to a more engaged, productive, and healthy workforce.
The Happy Ending for Sarah and Her Team
After discovering the importance of employee wellbeing, Sarah decides to implement changes within her team.
She starts by attending a wellbeing workshop with her employees, and they all learn valuable skills to manage stress and improve their overall wellbeing.
Sarah encourages her team to apply these skills in their daily work, and the results are astounding.
Not only do her employees feel more supported and valued, but they also become more productive and engaged in their work.
Absenteeism and turnover rates decrease, and the overall atmosphere within the team improves significantly.
Sarah’s commitment to employee wellbeing has transformed her team and made her a more effective leader, proving that the role of managers in supporting employee wellbeing is truly essential.
The role of managers in supporting employee wellbeing cannot be overstated.
By promoting resources such as wellbeing workshops, managers can create a positive work environment that fosters increased productivity, engagement, and collaboration among team members.
In doing so, they contribute to a healthier and happier workforce, which ultimately benefits both the employees and the organisation as a whole.
So, if you’re a manager like Sarah, take the initiative to support your employees’ wellbeing.
Sign up for a wellbeing workshop and watch as the benefits unfold before your eyes.
Your employees, and your organisation, will thank you for it.
Author
Tyler Lowe – Health & Wellbeing Speaker
BSc Sport & Exercise Rehabilitation
