On World Mental Health Day, Here’s How to Avoid Wellbeing Washing

As we count down to World Mental Health Day on 10th October, Inspire’s focus is very much on our ‘Don’t Wellbeing Wash’ campaign. 

Wellbeing washing is similar to green washing, its arguably more infamous cousin. It describes a company or organisational ethos that focus more on the illusion of staff wellbeing than the substance. 

Of course, it’s easy to say “Don’t wellbeing wash” without further explanation but the theory underlying that message is sound and worth following. In fact, it underpins every aspect of Inspire’s values-based and person-centred employee assistance programme (EAP). We are an organisation with 65 years of experience behind us, a mental health social enterprise that understands the landscape in which we operate. For us, ethical, timely support for individuals at the point of need is the priority; compassionate practices trump corporate objectives every time.

As a consequence, our EAP customer feedback has praised the quality of care, the rapid access to it and the personal touch that we bring to the fore. These attributes, along with our high standards of governance, continue to mark us out.

In our view, responsible employers invest in their workforces by undertaking a hands-on and pragmatic approach to employee mental health. In fact, there are a number of things that you can consider, now, if you want to follow a better path.

Leaders, set the tone

Healthier teams are more likely to be present, engaged and committed to key strategic goals. On the other hand, people can become jaded and disengaged if they believe their employers to be only superficially interested in their wellbeing.

It may seem obvious but management is fundamental to establishing a happy workplace. The truth is, a positive working culture should no longer be simply regarded as a nice aspiration. In an era that will be forever defined by 2020’s Covid lockdowns, as well as the many associated traumas and upheavals, prioritising workforce wellbeing is a task demanding leadership and enthusiasm from the top.

Listen to your colleagues

Avoid falling into the trap of wellbeing washing by making a genuine commitment to your colleagues, taking the time to hear what they have to say. If you want to know what your employees think about something, ask them.

Tools such as pulse surveys will gather feedback from staff, collating a range of views on any number of topics. Understanding their needs and gauging their mood will empower you. It is from this point that you can take real steps to address effectively the concerns inherent to any organisation, from remuneration and workload to stress, the need for flexibility and workplace conflicts.

Provide ongoing support

Workplace wellbeing requires not only support from leadership but consistent commitment, too. It should come in the form of holistic and wide-ranging initiatives that feel current and flexible, responsive to team feedback and changing circumstances.

Inspire operates an extensive range of training programmes relating to mental health awareness, lifestyle and wellbeing, leadership and management, and development and coaching. Our 24-hour workplace counselling service is staffed by professionals, easily accessible and, of course, completely confidential. Beyond these, and in circumstances where targeted and sustained assistance is necessary, Inspire also offers long-term mental health supports. The Inspire Support Hub – a digital platform featuring a variety of self-help toolkits and information resources – complements and augments all of this.

If you would like to find out more about what we do, please feel free to contact enquiries@inspirewellbeing.org.