Health and wellbeing at work

By LBV

03 Feb 2010

In the increasingly competitive and difficult business climate in which companies operate, the need for strategies to improve the health and resilience of employees has become all the more important. Declining morale can lead to decreased productivity, increased sick leave and apathy towards customer service.

Compound this with the evolving nature of work, including the shift from manufacturing to a service and knowledge led industry, requiring increased emotional involvement from employees and resulting in high levels of “job related burnout”

Illness caused by workplace stress continues to dominate newspaper headlines and doctors waiting rooms. According to statistics from the Health & Safety executive 1 in 5 people in Great Britain are suffering from high levels of stress. Estimates from the Labour Force Survey indicate that self-reported work-related stress, depression or anxiety accounted for an estimated 13.5 million lost working days in Britain in 2007/08, and costs employers nearly £26 billion each year. That is equivalent to £1,035 for every employee in the UK workforce.

Accordingly there is a growing body of evidence to support the notion that “a happy worker is a more productive worker.” Positive employee mental health/well-being including the prevention of stress, are now recognised as significant determinants of performance and success in the workplace. In her review of the health of Britain’s working age population, National Director for Health and Work, Dame Carol Black, cited research to confirm that a focus on employee wellbeing can add value to organisations. The research showed that organisations that had promoted the health and engagement of employees benefited from increases in productivity and profitability.

Clearly it’s in all our interests to take forward strategies to support our employees and improve opportunities for good emotional and physical health in the workplace.

So what employers can do to promote wellbeing at work?

Employers of any size can take action to support their employees improve their wellbeing.. Here are some straight forward ideas suggested by Business in the Community in their Emotional Resilience Toolkit.

1. Foster a sense of community.
Encourage colleagues to connect with others by organising social events inside/outside of work, eating together in communal break areas, community volunteering, sports activities etc.

2. Get your people moving
Provide opportunities for physical activity as part of a healthy lifestyle. Encourage colleagues to walk, cycle to work, use stairs instead of lifts, engage in team sports or other group activities.

3. Nurture sensitivity in the environment
Ensure that colleagues have opportunities to take regular breaks, leave their desks, go for walks or find ways of varying the rhythms of their daily routines.

4. Promote learning and development
Provide opportunities for colleagues to develop and apply new skills, take new responsibilities or challenges, or pursue new interests, whether it takes the form of learning on an existing job, a secondment into a new role, formal training or courses.

5. Encourage generosity at work
Promote respect for others, regardless of their formal status in the organization. Encourage managers to say “please” and “thank you” and publicly recognize the efforts and achievements of their colleagues. Support contributions to the local community by allowing time off for volunteering or providing other resources to community groups

Joanne Ingham is a lecturer in business and management at Myerscough College and founder of LifeBooster.

Enjoyed this? Read more from LBV

Latest news

1

Three weekly domestic waste collection considered in plans Waste recycling Blackpool

Three weekly domestic waste collection considered in plans

01 Jul 2025

2

Graham Engineering confirms acquisition to a2e Industries Graham Engineering

Graham Engineering confirms acquisition to a2e Industries

01 Jul 2025

3

Training 2000 celebrate 'Good' rating by Ofsted Training 2000

Training 2000 celebrate 'Good' rating by Ofsted

01 Jul 2025

4

Fox Group acquires J Fisher and Sons Colin Fisher, Paul Fox CEO and Gary Fisher.

Fox Group acquires J Fisher and Sons

01 Jul 2025

5

Beever and Struthers strengthen leadership team with new partners Dean Curtis and Joe Diston

Beever and Struthers strengthen leadership team with new partners

01 Jul 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Business Bike Club – July
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
01 Jul 2025 - 01 Jul 2025

Business Bike Club – July

Various, Lancaster, LA

08:00 - 09:30

Chamber Breakfast Networking – July
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
02 Jul 2025 - 02 Jul 2025

Chamber Breakfast Networking – July

St John's Hospice, Slyne Road, Lancaster, LA2 6ST

08:00 - 10:00

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4
LBV Hub Seminars
04 Jul 2025 - 04 Jul 2025

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

08:30 - 11:00

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase
unnamed (2).jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
09 Jul 2025 - 09 Jul 2025

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase

Crow Wood Hotel, Burnley, BB12 0RT

09:30 - 16:00

Chamber Summer BBQ
LBV Hub Social
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

Chamber Summer BBQ

The Borough, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

17:30 - 20:00

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?
July Longer Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin