The Great Reset: Future-Proofing Health and Wellbeing

Tailor your approach

When we asked employees what sort of supports they wanted, they told us clearly that reducing stress, managing anxiety and improving their mental health were their priorities. Employees actively want their employers to help them stay calm and steady. Tailor your approach In developing the mental wellbeing strategy for your business, remember no two organisations are the same and each one may need a different approach. It may be useful to offer mental wellbeing assessments to everyone to gain more understanding of what is needed.

1. Promote social contact. Consider where your organisation’s staff are located and which interventions and supports are most likely to be useful to them. Employees working remotely may feel isolated – two in five say they miss interaction with colleagues. Can you facilitate some social digital events, such as short ‘coffee breaks’ or longer team-building exercises? Think about a company wide initiative that everyone can engage with at encourages small groups of people to come together for the greater good. Coming up with new and innovative ways to raise funds for local charities or rewarding the most inventive way of reaching 250,000 steps as a team are ideas of initiatives that have fueled team spirits during this period of social isolation.

2. Address anxiety. Meanwhile, those employees working some or all the time on-site may struggle with anxiety, particularly if it is difficult to socially distance in their work context or if they have high levels of contact with the public. Check in regularly to hear their concerns and respond with operational measures or further supports to help alleviate their anxiety.

3. Be flexible. Bear in mind your strategy should be able to flex and adapt, especially given the fluid nature of life alongside Covid-19. Do you have digital wellbeing supports in place to support staff in the event of another sudden lockdown? Can all employees who need it get access to counselling and other support