ONE of the key initiatives that UK organisations have been undertaking over the past few years is mental health and well-being in the workplace. But what does that mean for you, for your staff, your business and how can we help you achieve your commitment?
What is mental health and well-being?
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.
A high level of well-being means that in some sense the individual’s or group’s condition is positive.
Recent statistics showed that:
* 49 per cent of work days are lost to stress, depression and anxiety;
* 1.3m Brits have work related ill health;
* 25.7m working days lost a year;
* Particularly at risk are teachers, nurses, health and public sector employees
* Two-fifths of employers have a standalone well-being strategy.
* 55 per cent of organisations say well-being is on the agenda of senior leaders.
* Almost half of organisations report that line managers are bought into the importance of well-being.
Most organisations could use a wider range of approaches to manage and support employees:
* Two-thirds of organisations have a flexible and inclusive working culture.
* Most organisations experience challenges.
* Developing line manager knowledge and confidence is the key challenge (56 per cent).
Technology has positive and negative effects on well-being:
* 75 per cent of organisations say the main benefit is flexible working.
* 87 per cent say technology affects people’s ability to switch off out of work hours.
Attendance and absence trends and patterns:
* The average level of employee absence is 6.6 days per employee per year.
* Absence is highest in the public sector (8.5 days compared with 5.6 days in private sector services).
* Return-to-work interviews are the most popular method of managing absence.
Unhealthy patterns of behaviour show that:
* 86 per cent of organisations have observed presenteeism over the past 12 months.
* Over two-thirds have noticed leaveism, such as people working when they should be on leave.
* Around a quarter are taking steps to discourage unhealthy working patterns.
The greatest risks to employee well-being are psychological:
* 37 per cent of organisations report that stress-related absence has increased.
* 55 per cent say that reported common mental health conditions have increased (41 per cent in 2016)
* 51 per cent are increasing awareness of mental health issues across the workforce compared with 31 per cent in 2016.
What can we do?
The Mallows Company are able to offer several options for businesses on a bespoke or generic basis:
1. Intensive full-day workshop which will help those working in specialist roles to foster a climate of positive mental well-being within their organisation. It is particularly tailored to HR, Occupational Health and Well-being Champions, providing them with the knowledge and skills to bridge the gap between individuals and their managers, offering an alternative contact point to support mental health and well-being. The intention of the workshop is to build delegates’ understanding of what mental health and well-being is, as well as a variety of mental health conditions. This session will focus on how to use solution-based questioning to coach and support individuals to make positive wellbeing choices or access timely and appropriate professional help and support should they need it.
2. Half day ‘Mindfulness’ workshop. This course is a basic introduction to Mindfulness. Mindfulness is about observation without criticism; being compassionate with yourself. When unhappiness or stress hover overhead, rather than taking it all personally, you learn to treat them as if they were black clouds in the sky, and to observe them with friendly curiosity as they drift past. In essence, mindfulness allows you to catch negative thought patterns before they tip you into a downward spiral. It begins the process of putting you back in control of your life. This course is beneficial to anyone who would like to learn the basics of Mindfulness which studies have shown can improve mental wellbeing. Also ideal for anyone with anxiety, stress or depression.
Half day sessions starts at £500 plus VAT for a group of three to five. Full day sessions starts at £650 plus VAT for a group of three to five. Sessions can take place at your office or a venue of your choice (please discuss options when booking your workshop).
We can also offer 1-2-1 Mindful Coaching for all levels of staff. The Mallows Company recognises that your greatest asset is your staff and that realising their potential is critical to your business success! Through our team of highly qualified and experienced coaches and mentors, we offer a confidential service that can be uniquely tailored to your company’s key issues to achieve defined deliverables and measurable outcomes.
We do this by:
* Focusing on real business challenges such that positive outcomes have a direct impact on your business success
* Developing leadership behaviours to encourage improved team performance
* Stimulating innovation and creativity to prompt solutions-focused approaches and lateral thinking
* Ensuring personal ownership of the solutions and a willingness to implement them
Better performance leads to greater confidence which in turn means the uncertainties of change are viewed as opportunity rather than a threat. Confidence and positivity are also infectious and will spread throughout the team, such that your company sees an exponential One-to-one sessions start at £300 plus VAT.
For more information or to book your workshop, please contact Kathryn on 01933 664437 or email
