The art of creating a harmonious workplace: Tips and tricks3 min read

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A survey is inviting employers to participate in order to find Britain’s healthiest workplace, which aims to identify the physical and mental condition of staff and its links to productivity. In partnership with the Financial Times, health insurer Vitality conducted recent data involving over 8,500 employees across 65 organizations, highlighting various issues related to mental health wellbeing for employees. These issues include the surge in mental ill health and anxiety, the rise in sickness absences and unproductive working, and the effects of recent trends such as remote working. Experts discuss the impact of remote and hybrid working on employee wellbeing and highlight differences between the two working arrangements. The article notes that the recent increase in remote working has led to a surge in mental ill health and anxiety compared with previous years, as well as a rise in sickness absences and unproductive working. The article suggests that employees who can adopt hybrid working patterns have the highest levels of job satisfaction and the lowest levels of presenteeism and absenteeism. The report also highlights the need for employers to tackle deeper structural issues linked to management styles and work cultures, such as economic insecurity, vital workplace social networks, supportive teams, mentoring, individual autonomy, flexibility, and a sense of purpose. The article concludes by noting that there needs to be more rigorous research on cause and effect, and which interventions really work in improving employee wellbeing.

Hybrid workers are thriving, with the lowest loss of productive days, better mental health, and an excellent work-life balance. However, younger employees are struggling to adapt to the workplace, with a higher likelihood of burnout, depression, and financial concerns. Women are also struggling more than men regarding productivity loss, depression, and burnout. The survey highlights the need to make employees aware of available support, including health interventions to help staff stay active and eat well. The survey has consistently rated Nomura, among other companies, as a strong performer in promoting employee wellbeing. Ian Edwards, the health and safety manager for the UK operations of Nomura, recognizes the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in promoting the wellbeing of all employees and has taken note of the disproportionate impact of Covid-19, financial pressures, and climate change on certain underrepresented groups in the workforce, as he seeks to address these challenges and create a more inclusive and supportive workplace culture for all. This study reveals that businesses are losing thousands of hours of productivity, with a loss of over a month each year per employee.

According to the research, employees who can adopt hybrid working patterns have the highest levels of job satisfaction and the lowest levels of presenteeism and absenteeism. The experts warn that there is a lack of rigorous research on cause and effect, and which interventions really work. The text suggests tackling deeper structural issues linked to management style and work culture, which include interesting work, relationships, flexibility, and a sense of purpose. Employers should give equal weight to people skills and emotional intelligence alongside technical skills when recruiting or promoting line managers, appoint a non-executive director and a senior executive responsible for health and wellbeing, and introduce regular surveys and reporting to measure the effects on the workforce. The most effective measures to improve employee wellbeing would be to foster a more supportive work culture and to address economic insecurity around pay and employment.

There is still a possibility to enroll in this survey, founded by Vitality and backed by the Financial Times, Rand Europe, the University of Cambridge, and Aon. Experts will explore the effects of the pandemic and broader factors influencing employees’ health. Participation is free, and winners in different categories, based on size, will be announced in November 2023. The survey aims to help employers and employees improve wellbeing and boost staff retention.