Are You Wellbeing Washing?
In today's world, we all understand the importance of taking care of our mental and emotional wellbeing. It's also something that companies should prioritise when it comes to their employees. However, there's a growing concern in the UK about companies that talk the talk but don't walk the walk when it comes to employee wellbeing. This is often referred to as "wellbeing washing” or “wellbeing window dressing."
It means that some companies appear to care about employee wellbeing, but in reality, they're not making substantial changes to support their employees' mental health. Deloitte, recently published a report called "Mental Health and Employers: The Case for Investment."
Let's take a look at what this report tells us about how UK companies are dealing with employee wellbeing.
The State of Wellbeing in UK Companies
Deloitte's research gives us some interesting facts about how UK companies are approaching employee wellbeing. One of the most important findings is that even though many companies say they have wellbeing programs in place (88% of them, to be exact), only a small fraction of employees (24%) feel that these programs actually help with their mental health. This means that a lot of companies are saying they care but aren't doing enough to make a real difference.
Another problem is that many companies aren't really integrating wellbeing into their overall plans.
Only 22% of companies said that their wellbeing programs were closely tied to their big-picture business strategy. This lack of alignment can make wellbeing efforts seem disconnected and ineffective, adding to the feeling of wellbeing window dressing.
The Impact of Wellbeing Washing
When companies engage in wellbeing washing, it can hurt both employees and the companies themselves. If employees feel that their company isn't genuinely invested in their wellbeing, it can lead to them feeling less motivated, more stressed, and less productive. This isn't good for the individuals or the company's success.
The Deloitte report also shows us that poor mental health among employees costs UK businesses a lot of money, somewhere between £33 billion and £42 billion every year. This includes the cost of employees missing work (absenteeism) and not performing at their best when they are at work (presenteeism). So, not taking employee wellbeing seriously can be expensive for companies.
The Argument for Investing in Wellbeing
Deloitte's research strongly suggests that investing in employee wellbeing is not just a nice thing to do, but it's also a smart business move. They found that for every £1 spent on mental health and wellbeing programs, companies can get back £5 in savings from reduced absenteeism and increased productivity. Looking after your employees' overall wellbeing is not only the right thing to do but also makes good financial sense.
The report also emphasises the importance of company leaders getting involved. When top executives show that they care about wellbeing, it creates a workplace where employees feel more comfortable seeking help when they need it. Unfortunately, only about 35% of companies said their top leaders were actively promoting wellbeing.
How to Tackle Wellbeing Washing
To genuinely support employee wellbeing, UK companies should consider these steps:
Make It Part of the Plan: Wellbeing programs should be part of the company's overall business strategy. This shows that it's not just a side project but an integral part of the company's success.
Leaders Need to Lead for Wellbeing: Top executives should be actively involved in and vocal about wellbeing initiatives. This sets a positive example for everyone in the company.
Measure the Impact: Establish clear ways to measure how effective your wellbeing programs are and regularly check if they are making a difference.
Listen to Employees: Encourage employees to share their thoughts and needs when it comes to wellbeing. Use their feedback to improve wellbeing programs and stop doing wellbeing to people.
Educate Everyone: Provide training for all managers and employees. This helps create a supportive and knowledgeable workplace.
In summary:
Many companies claim to care about employee wellbeing but often fall short of making a real impact. The Deloitte research shows that investing in employee wellbeing not only improves mental health but also makes good financial sense.
It's time for UK companies to move beyond empty gestures and truly commit to creating workplaces where employee wellbeing is genuinely valued. By doing so, they can improve the mental health and happiness of their employees while also boosting productivity and profitability.
Get in touch to find out how we can help you pool your resources towards an integrated approach that brings the right people together and is tailored to your unique needs and challenges.