Good for you and your business?

Since Dame Caroll Blacks report in 2008; Working for a Healthier Tomorrow, health and well being in the workplace has become somewhat of a hot topic.

 

But is a healthy workforce really better for the bottom line? And if it is, how can Small / Medium business’s make positive changes without breaking the bank?

 

Findings of several reputable studies and experts alike agree that a healthier workforce does affect productivity and employee engagement.

In fact a government paper released in 2005 showed that ill-health among employees negatively affects businesses through long-term sick pay and absenteeism, loss of production, temporary staff costs, poor retention of staff, low morale and decreased job satisfaction.  If that isn’t enough, bear in mind that the Health and Safety Executive also revealed that the cost of sickness absence equates to £3,659 per annum per employee.

 

What you can do?

First things first - Do we have a workplace wellness strategy? What resources are currently available through the business? Who and how are these communicated? Are they being used? Do the employees want that particular resource?

 

Secondly there are a few cost effective ways in which you can improve and begin implementing a workplace wellness strategy. A few of the key areas to consider are:

- Resources and Communication

- Work Relationships

- Working Conditions

 

A communal area in the building: this may seem odd but research shows that providing employees with a well thought out communal area promotes communication and fosters a positive environment. Making the office somewhere people can enjoy being improves engagement levels.

 

Access to exercise facilities or fitness classes : many gyms, fitness instructors and trainers are open to negotiating lower terms for the employees of businesses. This is both good for them and good for you, but when considering possible providers consider the suitability of their facilities / location will it suit your employees?

 

Diet: we all enjoy a chocolate or a packet of crisps, but let’s be honest, if they appear too regularly in our diets they’re not exactly great for us. I myself being a serial snacker am guilty of over indulging in a chocolate bar or 3, so I can appreciate the delicate matter of the contents of the snackbox or vending machines being discussed.

You’ll be pleased to know that you don’t have to remove the chocolates and crisps entirely but you should offer healthy alternatives alongside them.  Try placing bowls of fruit in communal areas; next to the tea and coffee or in and around desks. An improvement in diet leads to better concentration and general health levels which has been shown to improve absenteeism and sickness.

 

Working Conditions: working conditions can be dramatically improved through small minimum cost changes.

Lighting: Light has a huge impact on our emotions and state of mind, particularly in the dark winter months. Improving your lighting whether through re-arranging desks and filing cabinets or replacing old dull bulbs is an in-expensive way of lifting the mood in the office.

 

Work Stations: You do not need to be a Feng-Shui Master to improve working arrangements in the office. A few small changes can have a big impact. To improve communication organise small groups of 3/4 desks (teams of those who work most closely together is best).

It is a good idea to have them facing each other rather than side by side as this promotes a team environment and removes communication obstacles. It’s unlikely that you would speak to the person at the end of a 5 long row of desks and that lack of communication and team environment leads to lower employee engagement.

Then place groups that overlap or work closely together near to each other, again enhancing inter-departmental communication.

 

Change: Last but not least don’t be afraid to change the office around regularly. A new location in the office can be just as good as a break. A change of scenery can create a new found energy and prevent stagnation in employees, again improving communication, engagement and productivity.

 

These small steps can go a long way to beginning positive changes in your business. If you do not already have one now is certainly the time develop a workplace wellness strategy. For further information or guidance on any of the points raised please contact Key Appointments either via phone 0844 504 4666 or email info@key-appointments.co.uk and we will be happy to refer you to a specialist in the field.

At Key Appointments we want to supply you with relevant and useful information, if there are topics you would like more information on then please email us at info@key-appointments.co.uk

 

 

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