After everything that 2020 has thrown at society – confusion and chaos at times, isolation and tedium at others – a renewed focus on physical and mental health is more important than ever.
These days, mental illness is the leading cause of sickness absenteeism and long-term work incapacity in Australia. However, while 92% of Australian employees believe an organisational wellness program to be important (and 64% of organisations offer such a program), only around 52% of employees believe their workplace is actually a healthy environment. Compounding this, the unprecedented corporate landscape of 2020 has produced several new considerations for employers.
How effective are these wellness programs with a splintered workforce, with employees often working remotely?
How will wellness programs need to be optimised to deal with this new way of working?
How will these adjustments need to be managed to maintain optimum levels of business performance?
These concerns are particularly important when you consider the measurable impacts of promoting health and wellbeing in the workplace.
For instance, the State of Workplace Mental Health in Australia report in 2014 found that one in five Australians took time off work in the previous 12 months because they felt stressed, anxious, depressed or mentally unhealthy. This number rose to almost half (46%) among those who considered their workplace mentally unhealthy. Sadly, those dealing with a mental health issue were unlikely to disclose it, seek help or support from HR/management, or offer support to a colleague with a mental health condition. The result? It was estimated that untreated mental health conditions cost Australian workplaces approximately $10.9 billion per year (comprised of $4.7 billion in absenteeism, $6.1 billion in presenteeism and $146 million in compensation claims).
But it’s not all doom and gloom. Luckily, we have the ability and opportunity to make a positive impact; to make change for good.
Mentally healthy workplaces can provide enormous benefits to individual employees and to the business itself. Job satisfaction and enthusiasm lead to enhanced work performance and productivity, reduced staff turnover and less absenteeism – all of which have a quantifiable effect on a business’s bottom line – while individually, a focus on wellbeing can instil and reinforce senses of belonging, purpose and belief, and a desire for further self-development.
At Ultimate Edge Communications, we’re taking action. Because we know results speak louder than words. And we know that every dollar spent on effective mental health action returns $2.30 in benefits to an organisation. How’s that for ROI?
Introducing Wellness September at Ultimate Edge Communications!
For the next month, our team at UEC will be practicing the following weekly initiatives:
Mindful Mondays:
- Every Monday in September we will be focusing on mindfulness; fostering positivity and perspective. We’ll be looking at techniques to block out negativity and self-doubt, promote self-awareness and development, and make each day count.
- “In life and in business, mindset is everything,” says UEC Founder and CEO, Aleisha McCall. “Protect and enhance that, and you will live your best life.”
- Keep an eye out for our upcoming Mindful Monday blog posts to learn more!
Wellness Wednesdays:
- Every Wednesday in September we will be focusing on physical and mental wellness, reinforcing healthy eating habits, exercise, and techniques to reduce anxiety and fatigue.
- Kicking everything off today is our first Wellness Wednesday, with an early-morning gentle Hatha Yoga class. Long-heralded for its positive impact on mind and body, Hatha Yoga can prove effective in easing anxiety, depression and stress, as well as improving back pain, neck pain, balance and sleep: All things we could use a little help with in 2020!
- Keep an eye out for our upcoming Wellness Wednesday blog posts to learn more.
Fulfilling Fridays:
- Every Friday we will be focusing on gratitude; sharing our wins, lessons and appreciation within the team over some benefit-rich ‘tea for the soul’.
- We know showing gratitude can open the door to more relationships and opportunities, and improve physical health, self-esteem, mental strength and sleep. It can reduce aggression, anxiety and depression. In the workplace, it can increase morale and motivation, reduce tension and sick days, and improve overall job satisfaction. In short? It pays to be grateful!
- “Fulfilment is one of the key ingredients for a happy and healthy life,” says McCall. “The concept of filling your bucket back up is so important, as when you are full you can give to others around you, you shine bright and you can be a ripple in the universe for good.”
- Keep an eye out for our upcoming Fulfilling Friday blog posts to learn more.
At Ultimate Edge Communications, we’re a team. We look out for each other. We care more. We work harder. We make things happen. It’s what sets us apart from our competitors.
What is your organisation doing to ensure the mental and physical wellbeing of its employees?
