It’s been really great to see health and wellbeing being celebrated across Great Britain this week, with millions of employees taking part in activities to enhance people’s understanding of health and wellbeing at home, work and in everyday life.
It’s a topic that’s widely talked about – but what is health and wellbeing? It’s a question I ask and I’m asked on a daily basis and it means many things to different people. With new research released almost daily, it’s evident that wellbeing and prevention of ill health is becoming key for business.
Will your business be a victim or part of the solution?
It was recently reported that Britain’s productivity is 16% behind the other G7 nations. With Brexit just around the corner it’s time to ask the question what part could a healthy, happy workforce play in helping UK businesses close this gap on productivity? Probably a huge part.
A recent report from the Health and Safety Executive showed an estimated 1.3 million people in 2015/16 were suffering from an illness they believed was caused, or made worse, by work. The impact of this on a business’s productivity is well documented, with a Labour Force Survey reporting that the total number of working days lost due to stress alone in 2015/16 was 11.7 million.
Are you doing enough?
Health is one of your most important assets – but are your people high enough on the list of priorities?
The great news is that for many companies I meet and talk to on a weekly basis this subject is no longer falling under the radar, but this isn’t the case for everyone.
As business leaders, we need to create cultures where our people’s health and wellbeing is prioritised as highly as everything else we do in our working day, and Health and Wellbeing Week is a perfect time for us stop and reflect on this.
I’m proud to say that at Westfield Health we’re truly walking the walk – living and breathing health and wellbeing in all aspects of our working day and beyond. Our employees are supported in a variety of ways – from our onsite gym with free exercise classes, mindfulness and resilience workshops, expert sleep education, to award winning emotional wellbeing services – we’re committed to our workforce’s health and wellbeing.
What sets us apart?
As a not for profit group, we’re dedicated to help people improve their quality of life. Our approach is grounded in insight, evaluation and evidence.
As a major partner of Sheffield Hallam University’s Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre (AWRC); set to become the most advanced research facility in the world for physical activity and wellbeing, we’re confident that we can help our customers improve their quality of life by focusing on ‘what works’.
Our partnership with the AWRC provides us with a unique opportunity to transfer learning and knowledge gained from elite sport down to the wider population through innovative technology and service interventions in the workplace and at home.
Making a difference to our people
We value the importance of a good night sleep and see it as being fundamental to ensuring employees reach their true potential. We found that 83% of our staff had been affected by their sleep in the last month and that 70% suffer up to three nights a week with sleep problems.
We partnered with sleep expert, James Wilson to help employees understand their behaviours in order to improve sleep and boost wellbeing. I’m excited that we’re developing a Sleep Well Work Well programme which is currently being evaluated by the AWRC with a professional a sports team.
I have to admit, I often make regular visits to James’ office for some sleep advice to help combat my own snoring and frustrating sleep patterns, and I’m pleased to say I’m sleeping better today than I have done in years!
So show support for Health and Wellbeing Week, get involved in the activities that are going on and follow #GBWellbeingWeek to keep up to date with the latest news.
Get in touch if you want to talk about how we can help you lead the way with health and wellbeing for your employees.