Employee wellbeing is vital for a productive and positive workplace. When employees feel supported in their mental and physical health, including employee mental health, they are more engaged and effective in their roles. Managers are key to fostering this supportive environment. By addressing mental health issues and promoting overall wellbeing, managers can help create a workplace where employees feel valued and cared for. This benefits both the employees and the organisation.

At Lanes Group, we are committed to supporting our employees’ wellbeing through comprehensive strategies and initiatives.

Why Employee Wellbeing is Important

Employee wellbeing encompasses mental, physical and emotional health. It is essential because it directly affects productivity, engagement and overall company culture. When employees are in good health, they are more likely to perform well, show commitment, and contribute positively to the workplace. Chronic workplace stress, however, can lead to burnout, negatively impacting employees' health, job satisfaction and performance.

Mental health issues such as stress, anxiety and depression are common in poorly-managed workplaces. These issues can lead to decreased productivity, higher absenteeism and increased turnover. Addressing mental health concerns is necessary for maintaining a healthy and effective workforce.

Physical health is equally important. Employees who are physically healthy are less likely to take sick days and more likely to be energetic and focused at work. Promoting physical health can include initiatives like encouraging regular exercise, providing healthy food options, and ensuring a safe working environment.

Emotional health, which includes feeling valued and supported, also plays a significant role in employee wellbeing. When employees feel emotionally supported, they are more likely to be engaged and motivated.

General Strategies for Supporting Employee Wellbeing

Here are some effective strategies managers can implement to support employee wellbeing:

Creating a Supportive Environment

Managers can foster a supportive environment by promoting open communication about mental health issues. Encouraging employees to speak openly about their mental health can help reduce stigma and create a culture of trust. When employees feel safe sharing their concerns, they are more likely to seek help when needed, leading to better overall wellbeing. A positive work environment improves productivity and reduces turnover.

Providing Training and Resources

Training on mental health awareness and support is crucial. Managers and employees should be equipped with the knowledge and skills to recognise mental health concerns and provide appropriate support. This can include training sessions, workshops and access to resources that offer guidance on handling mental health issues. Training also plays a vital role in helping employees manage stress effectively.

Implementing Mental Health Champions

Establishing a network of mental health champions or first aiders within the organisation can provide additional support. These individuals are trained to offer initial assistance to colleagues experiencing mental health issues and can help guide them to professional resources. Ongoing training and development for these roles ensure they remain effective. Supporting employees' mental health through mental health champions can significantly enhance workplace resilience and help staff cope with stressful environments.

Monitoring and Addressing Stress

Regularly monitoring the incidence and causes of work-related stress is essential. Managers can use surveys, check-ins and other tools to identify stressors in the workplace. Once identified, they can implement strategies to reduce stress, such as workload adjustments, flexible working arrangements, and promoting a healthy work-life balance. Additionally, managers can support employees' mental health by helping them become more resilient in the face of stress and fostering a supportive work environment through training courses.

Conducting Wellbeing Surveys

Conducting regular wellbeing surveys and check-ins with employees provides valuable insights into their mental and physical health. The feedback from these surveys can inform the development of targeted wellbeing initiatives and help track the effectiveness of existing programmes.

Early Intervention and Support

Providing early intervention for employees with health problems or disabilities is key to maintaining a healthy workforce. Offering support such as flexible working arrangements, modifications to work duties, and access to occupational health services can help employees stay at work or return to work more quickly after an absence.

Lanes Group's Initiatives for Supporting Employee Wellbeing

At Lanes Group, we are committed to creating a workplace that prioritises the wellbeing of our employees. Here are some of the key initiatives we have implemented to support our staff:

Active Approach to Wellbeing

We take a proactive approach to employee wellbeing, ensuring that it is an integral part of our company culture. By continuously seeking ways to enhance our support systems, we aim to create an environment where employees feel their health and happiness are valued. We also encourage employees to participate in wellbeing initiatives by fostering open communication and inviting them to share their concerns and feedback without fear of judgement or retaliation.

Training and Development

We partner with external trainers to deliver comprehensive mental health training to all employees. This training helps employees feel comfortable having conversations with colleagues who may be struggling and know how to direct them to internal and external resources. Additionally, we are committed to growing our network of mental health first aiders, providing ongoing support and development to these key individuals.

Monitoring and Surveys

We regularly monitor work-related stress and conduct wellbeing surveys to understand the needs and concerns of our employees. These insights allow us to address issues promptly and effectively, ensuring a supportive work environment. Monitoring workplace stress levels is a must for preventing burnout and maintaining overall employee wellbeing.

Early Intervention and Occupational Health

Our provision of early intervention support helps employees with health problems or disabilities remain at work or return to work as soon as possible. We also offer occupational health services to address any health concerns promptly and professionally.

Wellbeing Strategy and Programme

We work collaboratively with our employees to develop a comprehensive wellbeing strategy. This includes a programme of events and initiatives designed to promote mental and physical health, enhance employee engagement, and foster a sense of community within the organisation. A positive work environment is a key component of this wellbeing strategy, as it improves productivity, reduces turnover, fuels innovation, nurtures customer retention and drives revenue.

Measuring Success

To ensure that our efforts in supporting employee wellbeing are effective, we regularly measure our progress using key performance indicators. These metrics help us assess the impact of our initiatives and identify areas for improvement.

• Mental health first aiders to employees ratio: we track the ratio of mental health first aiders to employees to ensure there are enough trained individuals available to provide support when needed. A higher ratio indicates better access to mental health resources across the organisation.
• Participation and engagement in wellbeing events: we monitor the take-up and involvement in wellbeing events and initiatives. High participation rates suggest that employees are engaged with our wellbeing programmes and find them valuable.
• Reduction in sickness absence rates: one of our key measures of success is the annual reduction in sickness absence rates. Lower absence rates indicate that employees are healthier and feel more supported in managing their wellbeing.
• Voluntary employee turnover rate: we also track the voluntary employee turnover rate. A lower turnover rate suggests that employees are satisfied with their work environment and feel their wellbeing is being effectively supported.

By regularly reviewing these metrics, we can ensure that our wellbeing initiatives are making a positive impact on our employees. This continuous evaluation allows us to make data-driven decisions and adapt our strategies to better meet the needs of our workforce. At Lanes Group, we are dedicated to maintaining a supportive and healthy work environment.

Discover Your New Career

Life at Lanes is a rewarding experience that offers our employees industry-leading benefits, progressive training and development programmes, and much more. Find your new career at Lanes Group today.

---