New research recently published by Trinity College Dublin and Berlin International University of Applied Sciences has identified drivers of employee engagement with organisational wellbeing schemes, while also highlighting various solutions to boosting such engagement.
The study unearthed some extremely interesting data, pointing to the need for employers to create a culture in which workers feel able, and willing, to utilise the workplace programmes that are on offer.
It is perhaps unsurprising that one of the key findings relates to the issue of workload. Putting in long hours may very well lead to “disconnection” problems, thus impacting job and life satisfaction, as well as personal relationships.
This may sound elementary but if an individual is consistently under pressure to meet deadlines, their capacity to get involved with workplace initiatives is, understandably, significantly curbed. The average person is more likely to prioritise the completion of tasks than they are to focus on themselves. In fact, respondents identified the simple ability to attend as an important factor in whether or not they ultimately engaged with wellbeing offerings.
Workload concerns, however, were not the only possible obstacles identified by the report. It also suggested that employees are less likely to participate in, or respond positively to, wellbeing measures they perceive as insincere, merely aesthetic or rote box-ticking exercises.
On that point, Berlin International’s Dr. Jennifer Hynes referenced ‘the critical role played by leaders… specifically through their engagement in activities, encouraging others to participate, and being authentic about their intentions.’
It is vital, therefore, that in striving to attain business objectives employers are equally energetic about endorsing the wide-ranging benefits of positive, proactive employee wellbeing.
People value workplaces that value them. Organisations can demonstrate a commitment to their people by developing and promoting mental health awareness throughout the workplace. Along with a suite of existing courses, Inspire designs and adapts mental health training according to need.
In addition, given that culture is shaped from the top down, effective and emotionally intelligent leadership is extremely important. Inspire’s extensive management courses aim to optimise the impact of those in leadership positions.
For more information, please feel free to contact enquiries@inspirewellbeing.org
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