The Importance of Wellness – Helping Staff Thrive in Times of Transition

Change is the only constant in today's fast-paced business world. Mergers, acquisitions, new technologies, and evolving market demands can create a significant amount of stress for employees, impacting their well-being and performance. A 2023 survey by Champion Health found that workplace changes were a leading cause of stress for UK employees, with 43% reporting feeling stressed due to organisational changes.

However, where once the UK lagged behind other G7 countries in relation to employee engagement and its positive impact, it is catching up as forward-thinking organisations are now recognising that staff well-being is essential for productivity, and particularly to navigate change successfully.

By investing in comprehensive wellness programmes, companies can set the scene and provide tools that promote resilience, adaptability, and a positive mindset which ultimately drives productivity, engagement, and overall longer-term success.

The Impact of Change on Staff Well-Being

A 2021 report by Deloitte revealed that poor mental health costs UK employers an estimated ￡45 billion each year. Globally, the World Health Organisation estimates that depression and anxiety disorders cost the global economy US$ 1 trillion each year in lost productivity - although the figures are probably a little on the conservative side.

Key Components of Change-Ready Wellness Programmes:

So, what are the main elements that need to come together to make a wellness programme provide value to all stakeholders?

• Communication & Transparency: Research by the CIPD found that employees who are kept informed and involved in organisational change are more likely to be engaged and productive.
• Stress Management & Mindfulness: A study by the Mental Health Foundation found that mindfulness-based interventions can reduce stress and improve mental well-being in the workplace.
• Resilience Training: The CIPD reports that resilience training can help employees develop coping mechanisms, adapt to change more easily, and 'bounce back' from setbacks.
• Mental Health Support: According to the Mental Health at Work Report 2021, 1 in 6.8 workers experienced mental health problems such as anxiety or depression.
• Skill Development & Training: The World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2020 predicts that 50% of all employees will need re-skilling by 2025.

Case Studies of Successful Wellness Programs:

In the UK, Unilever's wellbeing programme has shown significant success in reducing stress and improving employee engagement. Globally, companies like Google and Johnson & Johnson have also implemented comprehensive wellness programs with positive impacts on employee health, well-being, and productivity.

Measuring the Impact of Wellness Initiatives:

Of course to be effective and provide consistent positive impact, it is essential that all aspects of the programme are tracked for effectiveness via surveys, focus groups, or metrics like employee engagement, productivity, and absenteeism rates. In addition, wellness programmes should be subject to continuous evaluation and improvement to ensure the programme remains relevant and impactful.

I think that one can conclude that, a thoroughly considered and well designed wellness/well-being programme can often mitigate the negative impacts of change and is far more likely to be a highly positive force for all stkeholders.

I’d love to hear from you – if you feel you could share your insights and best practices in the comments below.

Please feel free to reach out if you'd like to discuss how we can help your organisation create tailored wellness solutions for a change-ready workforce.

#employeewellness #changemanagement #organizationalchange #corporatewellness #stressmanagement #resiliencebuilding #mentalhealth #workplacewellbeing

References & Further Reading

https://championhealth.co.uk/insights/guides/workplace-health-report/

https://www2.deloitte.com/uk/en/pages/press-releases/articles/poor-mental-health-costs-uk-employers-up-to-pound-45-billion-a-year.html

https://www.who.int/news/item/13-04-2016-investing-in-treatment-for-depression-and-anxiety-leads-to-fourfold-return

https://www.cipd.org/en/topics/employee-engagement/

https://engageforsuccess.org/nailing-the-evidence/

https://www.unilever.com/sustainability/responsible-business/employee-wellbeing/

?

?