Is your team’s well-being at the top of your priority list?

Putting mental wellbeing first is all about creating stronger, more resilient organisations. This Mental Health Awareness Week highlighted employee wellbeing as not just a checkbox but as a business priority. Common Issues like stress, anxiety, and burnout make a ripple effect throughout the entire team, which impacts productivity, morale, and company culture. 

The Overlooked Impact of Mental Health

The effects of mental health difficulties are easy to overlook, but they are certainly impactful. Stress, anxiety, and burnout are not just personal challenges, they are workplace realities. When these issues are ignored, they can lead to things like decreased performance and even long-term health problems.

In 2024, 51% of all work-related ill health cases in the UK were linked to mental health (HSE). This shows how much of an effect poor mental health can have on people’s work lives.

Why Mental Health is a Business Issue

Ignoring mental health affects entire teams and business outcomes and isn’t a thing to ignore. Poor mental well-being leads to many problems like drops in productivity, higher turnover, and increased absenteeism. Organisations that put mental health support first often experience stronger staff retention, higher engagement, and improved overall performance.

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The Cost of Ignoring Employee Wellbeing: Why It Matters to Your Business

Consequences of Neglecting Employee Well-being

Not meeting mental health standards in the workplace has massive consequences. Things like Increased turnover, reduced employee engagement, and higher absenteeism can be just a handful of things that appear..

Impact on Business Reputation

Companies that are known for poor mental health support have a hard time retaining their best employees and recruiting new talent. In today’s work environment, mental health is increasingly seen as a core aspect of a positive workplace culture. 

Investing in Wellbeing: A Strategic Advantage

Investing in your workplace culture isn’t just a “business strategy;” it leads to long-term success. For every £1 spent on mental health support for employees, employers see a 5x return in reduced absenteeism and increased productivity.

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Building a Culture of Wellbeing: Practical Steps for Employers

Actionable Strategies for a Mentally Healthy Workplace

Creating a mentally healthy workplace starts with practical steps that put wellbeing at the core of your organisational culture. Here are four strategies that work:

1. Put in Clear Mental Health Policies: Establish policies that support mental health leave, flexible working, and confidential support systems.

    

2. Train Managers to Recognise the Signs: Equip managers with the skills to identify burnout and mental health issues early on.
3. Prioritise Work-Life Balance: Promote flexible hours, regular breaks, and manageable workloads to reduce stress and improve overall well-being.
4. Encourage Open Dialogue: Create a culture where talking about mental health is normalised and encouraged. Open conversations help break the stigma and build trust within teams.

Businesses that successfully adopt these strategies usually see strong improvements in employee well-being, reduced turnover, and more resilient and hard-working employees.

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Mental Health is a Business Priority, Not an Afterthought 

Investing in mental health as a business is a necessity and a smart choice for the long-term success of you and your employees. Organisations that implement these strategies always see positive results, not just from the business side of things, but the overall well-being of everybody in the company.  

Are you unsure how you could employ these strategies into your business? Get in touch with Coppice HR today. Get in touch directly by emailing paul@coppicehr.com or calling 07814 008478.