hr dept “Working 9 to 5 ...what a way to make a living?!” Ok, so yes I am a bit of a Dolly Parton fan. My guilty pleasure now declared in public. However, the lyrics of Dolly’s, probably most famous of hits, must resonate with many: “Workin' 9 to 5, what a way to make a livin' Barely gettin' by, it's all takin' and no givin'
They just use your mind and you never get the credit It's enough to drive you crazy if you let it”
How many of your employees are feeling like this and struggling with the ‘Sunday Blues’? The workplace environment can provide anything from challenge and progression through to resentment and depression. As we often spend more time with our work colleagues and boss than we do our friends and family, the impact of the workplace environment can have an immeasurable effect on our health and wellbeing. The employer / employee relationship is more complicated than it may initially appear. Most of us crave a role that plays to our strengths, that offers challenge and progression, that provides reward and recognition for our contribution and values us
as our ‘whole selves’. However, finding this within a company can feel as elusive as the Easter Bunny. The impact of a negative working environment can be inherently damaging to the individuals and potentially to customers and profits too. Employee wellbeing and mental health issues are increasingly becoming a workplace issue. With ‘stress’ now overtaking back pain as the leading reason for workplace absence, it can feel like a minefield for an employer to try to manage. Ignoring, avoiding or poorly managing workplace stress will lead to poor employee engagement, lower productivity but also potentially tribunal applications in the future. Since the Supreme Court decided to
over turn the payment of court fees last year, there has been a 70% increase in tribunal applications over the last nine months, many of which against small and medium sized businesses. From an employers’ perspective this can feel like a minefield. While not expected to be counsellors, it is necessary to discuss the health and wellbeing with employees to be able to fulfill your duty of care and make any reasonable adjustments. It is obviously in the interests of an employer to create an environment that creates an engaged and productive workforce. However, knowing how to do this may not be obvious.
We work with many local businesses to identify and plan how best to resolve their people issues and to create a productive workplace environment for a better business. Keeping businesses compliant is a must but unlocking the human potential in a business can be transformational. Call Sandra Porter, Managing Director at The HR Dept on 07387 101637 for a chat about your 9 to 5 and our service and devotion! Go Dolly!
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BOROUGH BUSINESS - The voice of Kingston’s business community
Top 5 Employer Questions for a Healthy Workplace 1) Are you getting the best from your employees by playing to their strengths? 2) Are your managers skilled at managing? 3) Do you invest in employee skill development or always hire externally? 4) What message does your recognition or criticism send about what’s important? 5) Do you offer services to employees to support their health and wellbeing?