Employee Absence and Sickness
In January, employee absence and sickness challenges peak, straining many businesses. Annual leave requests double, and instances of lateness or sickness triple, creating a demanding month with undeniable impacts on your bottom line and administrative workload.
As if that’s not enough, brace yourself for Blue Monday, supposedly the most depressing day of the year, occurring every third Monday in January, with claims that absences from work peak on this day.
Mental Wellbeing In The Workplace
If the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns taught us anything, it’s that the wellbeing of a workforce is linked to a company’s success. So important is mental wellbeing in the workplace, that we have seen a sharp increase in businesses bolstering the provision they offer their employees when it comes to their wellbeing. From offering mental health days, to providing mental health first aid training, supporting good mental health in the workplace is a top priority for many businesses.
Why is Eliminating Work-Related Stress & Anxiety At Work So Important
It’s crucial for businesses to actively engage in strategies that alleviate work-related stress and anxiety. This doesn’t only improve the overall well-being of employees but also directly enhances productivity and fosters a positive work culture.
Red Flags That Someone Is Struggling In The Office
Recognising signs of struggle among your team members is key to maintaining a healthy and productive work environment. These signs could include a noticeable change in performance, frequent tardiness or absenteeism, withdrawal from team interactions, or uncharacteristic mood swings. However, identification is only the first step. Creating an atmosphere where employees feel safe to voice their struggles is equally important.
At Kirkwood Training and Skills, we recommend the implementation of open-door policies and anonymous feedback systems to encourage employees to express their concerns without fear of judgment or backlash.
Regular check-ins and mental health workshops can also help in creating a supportive environment. Providing access to professional counselling or Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) can offer additional help.
Effective return to work support, robust policies and practices aimed at offering genuine support to your staff.
Remember, nurturing an empathetic and understanding workplace isn’t just about good business ethics; it directly contributes to the overall success and growth of your organisation. In fact, this is part of learning how to be a great leader!
