Positive workplace health and wellbeing is crucial to our daily lives. Effective business owners, HR and management professionals know that they must continually evaluate and strategise around how to create and maintain a healthy workplace for their employees. So, what do workplace wellbeing statistics telling us about workplace wellbeing in the UK? In this guide, we take a look at the latest workplace wellbeing statistics in the UK. What do these statistics mean for businesses and how can companies can use them to improve workplace wellbeing strategies?
What is Workplace Wellbeing?
Workplace wellbeing is about creating a healthy and supportive environment for employees. It’s about promoting positive mental health and helping employees to manage stress effectively.
A good workplace wellbeing strategy will consider all aspects of an employee’s health: physical, mental and emotional health. It should also take into account the different needs of employees at different stages of their lives or job roles.
Workplace wellbeing can have a positive impact on business performance. Building a culture of health and safety at work provides a competitive advantage in the marketplace.
Studies show us there is a positive correlation between employees’ satisfaction with their company and employee productivity and customer loyalty. Similarly, there is a negative correlation with staff turnover. Ultimately, better workplace wellbeing is positively correlated with business profitability.
Workplace Stress UK 2022/2023
Lots of factors affect our stress levels, from relationship stress to money worries, or even just the lack of a good night’s sleep. However, one main cause of stress in British adults is workplace stress.
Work-related stress can have a significant impact on an individual. The Champion Health Workplace report 2023 revealed that 67% of professionals are experiencing stress at moderate to high levels. Also, almost 35% of employees report the stress they experience at work is having a negative impact on them.
But how can we help employees stop feeling stressed at work? How can we help employees recognise the signs of stress or poor mental health and encourage people to talk about mental health at work?
There are a number of ways businesses can support employees with their stress management:
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- Encourage regular check-ins: Catch-ups with line managers can help employees identify areas of stress and address them. Data reveals that nearly half (48%) of employees received no wellbeing check-in 2022. So now is the time for businesses to start encouraging catch-ups.
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- Promote healthy lifestyle choices: Eating well, exercising and getting enough sleep are all important for managing stress levels. Businesses can support employees by providing healthy food options, encouraging regular breaks and providing tips on getting a good night’s sleep.
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- Encourage socialisation: Spending time with friends and family can help reduce stress levels. Businesses can encourage employees to take their lunch break away from their desks, or organise social events outside work hours.
Employee Mental Health Issues
It’s important that employers support employees with mental health issues at work. Evidence suggests that some employees are still struggling. According to the Mental Health Foundation:
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- 1 in 6.8 people (14.7%) experience mental ill-health in the workplace.
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- Women in full-time employment are nearly twice as likely (19.8% vs 10.9%) to have a common mental health issue as full-time employed men.
Data by Champion Health further reveals that nearly 60% of employees feel anxious and just over half experience a low mood. They go on to report that 58% of employees said they had experienced at least mild symptoms of depression, with over 1 in 4 (26%) reporting symptoms that were moderate to severe.
Poor mental health is also cited as a factor that impacts productivity for 1 in 5 employees. This can contribute to costly levels of presenteeism on a personal and business level.
Employee Wellbeing Investment
According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), a vital part of occupational health is concerned with how the working environment can impact a worker’s mental and physical health. As part of their role, the Health & Safety Executive recommends that businesses make a proactive investment in employee wellbeing initiatives and strategies.
And investing in employee wellbeing doesn’t just offer employee benefits. If employees had better wellbeing in the first year of their job, they would tend to have a better engagement at work in year two. This direct correlation between employee wellbeing and engagement can lead to improved business outcomes and shows that investing in staff can deliver dividends.
Mind goes on to tell us that 60% of employees say they’d feel more likely to recommend their organisation as a good place to work if their employer supported mental wellbeing.
Further Deloitte research reports that for every £1 spent by employers on mental health interventions they get £5 back in reduced absence, presenteeism and staff turnover. This further highlights the business case for investment in employee wellbeing.
Mental Health Management Training
Training line managers can be one of the most effective investments. With even three hours of Mental Health Awareness training, businesses have seen improved attitudes towards and a higher motivation to promote mental health at work. When managers are trained to encourage staff and help them take care of themselves, it can have a huge impact on job satisfaction and therefore, results.
If businesses are to get the most out of their employee wellbeing strategy, they need to ensure that line managers are given the training and support they need to effectively promote workplace wellbeing.
Failure to do so could result in a lack of progress being made on employees’ mental health, as well as on engagement and productivity levels.
Absenteeism
Poor workplace wellbeing can also have a significant impact on employee absenteeism and presenteeism.
The mental health issues that unsupported chronic stress can cause are linked to sickness absences within businesses. Over 12% of all sickness absence days in the UK are attributed to mental health conditions.
Costs associated with these absences can quickly mount up for businesses. However, better mental health support in the workplace can save UK businesses up to £8 billion per year in saved sick days. With better workplace health and wellbeing, employees can take fewer sick days. When they are off work, they can then recover more quickly and return to full productivity.
Working Hours
In a bid to reduce stress and sickness absences, some businesses are starting to reassess their approach to working hours. In fact, more than 80% of people in the UK would prefer a four-day working week, according to Reed’s 2021 survey. This goes on to state improved morale and fewer absences as one of the benefits of a shorter working week.
A shorter working week can also have a positive impact on an employee’s work-life balance. It’s no surprise then that employees who feel they have a good work-life balance are more productive, more engaged, and less likely to leave their job.
Looking To Invest in Your Workplace Wellbeing?
At Great Minds At Work, we offer a range of Mental Health Courses, designed to help businesses improve their workplace wellbeing. Our courses can be tailored to meet your specific business needs and can be delivered either in-person or online.
Whether it’s company-wide Mental Health Aware Training, allocating specific Mental Health Champions within your team or arming your leadership team with full Mental Health First Aid Training, we can help you create a happier, healthier workplace.