Analysis
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AnalysisHow can employers empower staff to take responsibility for their own health?
Encouraging staff to take responsibility for their health should start with a culture of personal accountability.Employers can show they care about employees’ health by providing solutions and services tailored to their needs.Facilitating conversations around health can help to reduce stigma and ensure workplaces are more inclusive.Benenden Health’s August 2024 research ...
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AnalysisSupporting the mental health needs of today’s workforce
In order to implement appropriate mental wellbeing support, employers first need to understand their workforce’s needs.The way in which employers offer mental health assistance has changed, as interventions and services have become embedded in initiatives.More frequent chances for employees to speak about pressures they face can provide another approach to ...
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AnalysisAddressing the gender health gap
The gender health gap describes disparities in healthcare access and care outcomes based on gender.Data and survey feedback can determine if an organisation has a gender health gap.Investing in diverse, inclusive and equitable health support can go some way to addressing a gender health gap.The gender health gap refers to ...
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AnalysisHow to support employees’ health and wellbeing in the winter months
Regular breaks during working hours can help to avoid burnout and boost employees’ physical wellbeing.Employers can support employees suffering from seasonal affective disorder by rearranging the workplace to maximise natural light or enable them to sit near a window.Organisations can implement discount schemes that save employees money on essentials to ...
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AnalysisHow can employers support employees’ mental wellbeing during the festive season?
Employers should be aware that the festive season does not mean the same thing to every employee.Creating a supportive, flexible work environment can help employees with increased stress and emotional challenges at this time of year.Providing employees experiencing loss and loneliness with opportunities to give back to the community can ...
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AnalysisHow to support employees with better sleep habits
Symptoms of a lack of sleep in employees can include reduced concentration, impaired mobility and decreased reaction times.Sleep management and ensuring a better work-life balance should be a part of health and wellbeing strategies.Leading from the top down is effective in addressing that not prioritising rest results in poor long-term ...
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AnalysisHow to address a toxic workplace culture
Need to know:Toxic workplace cultures exist in many UK oganisations, with leaders and managers often to blame.Creating a culture where employees can raise concerns is essential to overcoming such environments.Organisations need to think about how they react where examples of toxic behaviour do occur.Allegations of toxicity and harassment at the ...
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AnalysisThe overlooked influences impacting employee health
Need to know:Personalised health and wellbeing support is more likely to engage employees and drive behavioural change.Tests can highlight a variety of health issues including fertility problems; menopause and andropause; gut health issues and cancer.As employees gain deeper insight into their health, education will help them understand the implications of ...
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AnalysisWhat does effective absence management reporting look like?
Need to know:An absence management system must be robust, consistent and in line with the organisation’s absence policy.Interrogating absence data can identify trends but it is prudent to investigate further as the data may be masking what is really happening.Identifying potential long-term conditions early can ensure appropriate support is provided ...
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AnalysisHow to support employees with an eating disorder
Symptoms of an eating disorder include trouble sleeping, low confidence and self-esteem, food anxiety, and feelings of shame, guilt and irritability.There is no one-size-fits all response, so employers need to be as flexible as possible.Employee assistance programmes can offer counselling, access to relaxation techniques for insomnia and cognitive behavioural therapy, ...
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AnalysisHow can employers build the case for aligning financial and mental wellbeing strategies?
Need to know:Financial worries affect the bottom line, with a poll by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) finding the majority of employers believe the cost-of-living crisis has caused stress and anxiety that have affected productivity levels.Many organisations already offer benefits that can support employees’ financial wellbeing, whether as a core ...
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AnalysisSupporting staff following a relationship breakdown
Need to know:A relationship breakdown can be traumatic, adversely affecting an employee’s mental health and performance.A wide range of support tools are available including employee assistance programmes (EAPs), concierge services, legal advice and flexible working.Making separation a life event can make it easier for employees to make changes to benefits ...
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AnalysisHow to ensure a mental wellbeing strategy delivers on its promises
Employers need to recognise that mental health support is a shared responsibility which needs to be a genuine priority, underpinned by a clear strategy that both understands and addresses causes and contributors.Tangible benefits, services, policies and practices that support employees are essential to ensure that mental wellbeing is part of ...
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AnalysisHow to support the wellbeing of mental health first aiders
In order to be able to effectively support someone with their mental health, mental health first aiders (MHFA) need to ensure they are protecting their own wellbeing and not pouring from an empty cup.An essential part of the MHFA training should be a clear understanding of the role and its ...
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AnalysisHow can employers help staff avoid burnout while managing productivity?
Burnout symptoms include increased frustration and irritability, indifference towards work, being withdrawn and tearful, higher levels of absence, and less inclination to learn and develop.Having regular conversations about mental health with employees, understanding more about the reasons behind burnout, and highlighting what support is available, is key.A workforce with stronger ...
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AnalysisWhat should a comprehensive fertility support policy include?
A fertility support policy must be inclusive and not take gender, relationship status or age into account.Flexibility is key as employees may not know the dates when they may need to take time off of work for a scan, to review a drug regime or see a consultant for example, ...
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AnalysisBuyer’s guide to employee assistance programmes
What are employee assistance programmes?An employee assistance programme (EAP) is, at its core, a helpline, paid for by employers and provided free to staff, which provides confidential advice and assistance around a wide range of subjects that might affect them both at work and in their personal lives.This typically includes ...
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AnalysisHow employee data can build a resilient workforce
Need to knowEmployee data can help create a tailored, personalised approach that encourages engagement with wellbeing-boosting benefits.Employers should use health information to influence benefits strategy to ensure packages are fit for purpose.Data usage should be safe and well communicated, while also couched in real conversations and context in order to ...
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AnalysisAre employers doing enough to support employees’ mental health in today’s climate?
There are a range of measures that employers can implement to help break the stigma surrounding mental health and offer support to their workforce.Identifying a wellbeing lead or training employees as mental health first aiders can be a first step to creating a support strategy.As cost-of-living increases continue to affect ...
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AnalysisHow can benefits support new fathers in the workplace?
Employers may want to think about how they can use flexible working to support employees following the birth of a child.One way in which employers can support new fathers is through encouraging open discussion in the workplace to help recognise the challenges that come with being a working parent.Bringing paternity ...