While this course covers some best practice for wellbeing policies and manager support, you might want to target specific manager cohorts with tailored training.
Across your organisation, you’ll probably have managers of varying experience levels, each with different strengths and areas for improvement. We’ve split these suggestions into three categories: regular training, mental health, and health leadership.
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Regular training
A CMI study found that workers who had properly trained managers were more satisfied with their job (74%), felt more motivated (77%) and agreed their organisation had a good culture (67%). Here’s the top line on what to include in your yearly learning plan:
- Formal training courses can be found with providers such as Acas and the CMI, but many managers won’t require this level of detail.
- It’s a good idea to deliver manager training in-house, where appropriate. Internal training provided by your HR or L&D team can be tailored to your organisational needs, and feedback from these sessions can help you gain insight into the challenges your managers face.
- Managers also need to know what support is available for their teams both within your organisation and externally. Many workplace wellbeing providers host sessions to help colleagues and managers make the most of their benefits. So if you’ve got an EAP, health cash plan or private health insurance, try reaching out to your provider for potential training options.
Mental health training for managers
Almost two-fifths (38%) of employees took time off due to mental health in 2023. Offering mental health training, such as Mental Health First Aid for Managers, helps them spot the early signs and take action.
- Managers with MHFA training will be equipped to offer initial support to an employee who is experiencing a mental health issue. These courses are not about training to be a therapist, but to give managers the knowledge and confidence to have mental health conversations with their team and signpost them to relevant resources.
- Managers will learn about factors that can influence mental health, how to communicate in a non-judgemental way and what support is available based on the needs of the individual.
- This early intervention approach means employees feel more comfortable seeking support from their manager before things escalate, which can often turn into long-term sickness absence.
Health leadership training
Health leadership training is designed to create a culture of wellbeing in your organisation. The training focuses on coaching managers to develop themselves, their approach within the workplace and ways to proactively be more resilient to pressure.
It helps develop leaders who champion a healthy company culture, beyond the basic scope of line manager duties. There is a focus on mental, physical and emotional health, as well as ways to engage the workforce and create a positive culture from the top down.
Health leadership training is often delivered as a webinar or interactive workshop. It’s a great option for those who are already engaged with your wellbeing programme, or for senior leaders who want to drive culture change.