Victoria Brocklesby, COO and co-founder at the UK’s leading manufacturer of aluminium doors and windows, Origin, explores the benefits of prioritising employee wellbeing and offers her advice on fostering a company culture which supports staff’s mental and physical health.
The benefits of prioritising employee wellbeing
Clearly, looking after employees’ health is morally the right thing to do. In addition, improved employee wellbeing can:
Increase productivity:
According to research by Gallup, staff who agree their employer cares about their wellbeing are 3x more engaged at work and 71% less likely to experience burnout, meaning that they are more efficient and productive workers.
Improve employee retention:
The same study suggested that employees who are looked after at work are 69% less likely to actively search for a job. When you consider that the average cost per hire is estimated at £3,000, anything that reduces staff turnover, and therefore the cost of recruitment, is a huge benefit.
Attract new talent:
When businesses do need to hire, it’s crucial that they have a good reputation as an employer if they want to attract the very best talent. Gallup’s research suggests that employees who feel supported by their employer can become great champions for the business. In fact, they are 5x more likely to advocate for their company as a place to work.
Support business growth:
How a business treats its staff is becoming increasingly important to all stakeholders. Investors want to work with companies that prioritise employee wellbeing and businesses are looking for suppliers and partners that operate ethically. Many consumers also prefer to buy only from companies that do genuine good in the world, which includes how they treat their staff.
Implementing an effective employee wellbeing strategy
Staff wellbeing is about more than subsidised gym memberships and free fruit bowls. It’s about an employee’s entire experience at work. At Origin, we focus on four key areas:
1. Fostering a supportive and nurturing culture is the first step to a happy and healthy workforce. At Origin, have made sure to retain our family business feel, prioritising our company values of care, trust, and respect, even as we’ve grown.
2. Benefits: A good benefits package should recognise that employees are individuals with unique needs. A ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach rarely works. We offer all our employees a cash plan scheme designed to support every aspect of their wellbeing. It offers everything from subsidised healthcare and 24/7 virtual GP appointments through to mental health support, gym memberships, and retail discounts.
3. Training and development: Having an effective training and learning system not only means a business can upskill its employees but also shows staff that it cares about their career progression and professional development. Origin employees have access to a learning management system that allows them to complete courses related to their role, as well as upskilling in other areas, such as mental health support.
4. Sharing ideas: Demonstrating that your employees’ opinions are listened to and taken on board is also important for ensuring they feel supported and valued. At Origin, we hold regular town hall-style meetings with senior members of the company to allow our employees to ask questions, give feedback, and make suggestions.
There are so many ways to support your employees’ wellbeing and demonstrate that you care about their mental and physical health. When developing your strategy, consider what will resonate most with your employees and make a genuine difference to their experiences both inside and outside of work. If done successfully, you’ll be rewarded with a happy, productive, and profitable workforce.
Find out more about the UK’s leading aluminium door and window manufacturer.
