Wellbeing experts share top tips for businesses

More than 50 businesses attended a Lichfield and Tamworth Chamber networking lunch, hosted at the Cathedral Hotel, as president Fiona Rouse welcomed wellbeing experts to share advice on how businesses can support their staff and create a positive work environment.

Sharon McCormick, clinical director at Lichfield-based employee assistance company The Listening Centre and Adele Oakden, employee benefits consultant at Tamworth-based Bravo Benefits, gave pointers for businesses on themes including how to make your business a better place for colleagues, whose responsibility it is in an organisation to ensure the culture is positive and ensuring your employees’ physical, financial and mental wellbeing is considered at all times.

Fiona Rouse, president of the Chamber and operations director at PI-KEM, said: “As part of the work we undertook with our executive committee we asked our members what subjects they wanted to see covered at our events in order for them to leave with tangible advice and positive ideas for their business.

“Employee wellbeing was a key area highlighted so it was a pleasure welcoming Sharon and Adele to speak at the event, share their expertise and engage with attendees throughout the two hour event.”

Advice shared by the speakers included:

• The use of the free Health and Safety Executive online directory offering resources covering stress at work
• The importance of not medicalising the stress and struggles of your employees, rather taking a holistic and inclusive view on helping your staff
• The importance of providing private health insurance to your staff to ensure their physical wellbeing is supported when they require hospital or medical treatment
• Ensuring the financial wellbeing of your staff is considered by staying updated on ways your business can improve its pension provision

Following the event, sponsored by Michelle Spaul at Delta Swan, a customer experience consultant based in Burton-on-Trent, delegates were asked to submit questions - with the speakers sharing their responses as below.

Do you have companies who look to address their employee wellbeing when staff turnover is high or is it more likely an employee comes to you for support?

In my experience, it's usually the latter. High turnover indicates an organisational issue such as ineffective management, lack of growth opportunities or a toxic environment.  This requires a strategic shift in practice and culture which could be addressed via stress risk assessments, culture audits, and professional development training. We are also able to support individuals in navigating this tricky terrain to make the right decisions for them moving forward.

In current times due to the recruitment issues in the UK we are seeing an increasing number of clients who want to reduce staff turnover and retain more employees. This is becoming vital and we now often hear the phrase “retention is the new recruitment” There are several highly effective ways retain employees and to help them become more productive. If your people are engaged with a range of solutions, they become happier, healthier and are less likely to leave. One size doesn’t fit all when it comes to Health & Wellbeing with a variety of benefits now forming part of many client solutions.

How do you cultivate buy in to mental health support in a more traditionally resistant environment such as a warehouse or construction?

Raising awareness and encouraging conversations around well-being is central to shifting perspectives and demystifying the stigma surrounding this topic.  This requires a top-down approach meaning board-level buy-in and leading by example. There are numerous initiatives that support this including 'The Lighthouse Charity' and 'Andy's Man Club', offering free support across the UK and online. 

We know that our mental health is very closely connected to our physical health. To improve mental health in this type of environment we can also look at some of the physical factors to support employees. Finding the right way to support mental health in your business is the crucial part. Evey workplace is unique as is the solution they create with us to support them.

How can an employer engage with their employees to take part in a ‘shared’ commitment to discussing mental health and well-being support?

The Health and Safety Stress Standards are an excellent starting point for this. Here you will find a complete package of free resources, advice, and guidance from setting up a steering group to case studies, guides, and template policies. 

There are a number of solutions available to support both the employee and employers. We have a variety of “shared” options which include all aspects of health and wellbeing. Were here to learn more about your shared commitment and to support you in your journey. We listen to understand and then help our clients to help their employees.

Is there any help for businesses needing to challenge their VOA valuation?

Unfortunately, not via employee benefits. However, a variety of employee benefits solutions can be offset against corporation tax. Along side this we see businesses save on Tax and NI through various salary sacrifice schemes.  These include pensions, cycle to work, Electric / Hybrid car leasing, Home and Tech benefits.

Pictured: From left - Fiona Rouse, Michelle Spaul,  Adele Oakden Sharon McCormick and head of Lichfield and Tamworth Chamber Chris Brewerton