Well-being at work is something we should all be mindful of. Here at Eastbank, we are very conscious of the health and well-being of our staff, our tenants and each other. It’s even more crucial in these uncertain times that we try to work through the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic and the impact this has had and continues to have on our mental and physical health.
It’s vital to have information on how we can manage the effects of stress in our daily lives, especially at work where we must deliver peak performance to meet our objectives.
We’re hardly going to achieve that if we’re feeling under-valued, tired, or struggling with anxiety.
Ignoring the problem isn’t going to help either.
Feeling good and getting the best from each other has been a regular topic of conversation at our HQ.
In keeping with our well-being at work awareness this week, we’ve had the privilege of speaking with Charlotte Wiseman, an expert on the subject.
Charlotte Wiseman is a well-being and leadership consultant and trainer, who works with organisations to build “mentally fitter” workplaces. Her unique, evidence-based approach focuses on empowering employees to optimise their well-being to be more resilient, collaborative and productive while also improving workplace satisfaction. Research shows this is the best way to boost engagement, morale and innovation in the workplace, enhancing employee satisfaction, increasing the bottom line and building the reputation of the business. From workplace assessments, management and leadership training and resilience coaching to corporate wellness packages and mental health first aid, Charlotte tailors her offering to meet the KPIs of the organisation and the needs of the team. Drawing on her research background and her international experience, she offers a practical approach to corporate wellness that enables businesses and individuals to thrive, and, most importantly, to sustain it regardless of what lies ahead.
Charlotte kindly gave her time and advice to us as we look to offer as much help and guidance as we can to our staff, our tenants and anyone who follows our company. In the long run, we will all do better if we address any potential problems before they become bigger issues.
Charlotte gave us some excellent tips on how making small changes could boost your staff morale and productivity.
We hope you find these suggestions useful for your company too.
Read on.
How to improve morale and well-being at work
There are strategies that company leaders and managers can implement to keep on top of potential problems which might contribute to poor performance or staff morale.
Charlotte tells us that one of the most effective things you can do is check on staff. Ask them on a scale of 1-10 how they are. By doing this, you’re making the colleague properly assess their emotions.
Innovate not Replicate
Did you Mess Up?
Everyone makes mistakes. Even the highest performing, most talented team members mess things up from time to time. We’re not robots, we’re human beings, and it’s natural to get things wrong occasionally.
How we address this is important.
Focus on your staff strengths and aim to put them on jobs that will bring out the best in them. If someone does make a mistake? Tell them it’s ok to be wrong. Ask what was learned from it and what we will do differently in the future. Ask them how you can support them to do this so, again, they take ownership of their learning process. This will not only help them bounce back but grow stronger as a result.
Changing Rooms
Another good point which Charlotte made was when we work remotely, we usually work from one space in the house. This is very different from working in an office, where we move from meeting room to a desk to a breakout space. Without these changes, the brain can find it hard work to switch tasks.
If it’s possible, try and change rooms periodically. Changing the room changes the mindset. If you can’t move to another space, even just switching seat or changing your view can help.
Because of the Coronavirus pandemic, many of us are working remotely. It’s essential that we look after ourselves there too. For some people, working in isolation can have a detrimental effect on their well-being. If you missed it the first time around, here’s our blog on how to work from home.
Are all these meetings necessary?
Many of us have moaned about the amount of time spent in team meetings. Sure, group discussion is essential to get plans off the ground or for delegation. Charlotte points out that companies need to really question the value of each meeting and ensure they’re having them through necessity, not habit.
We can also reflect on whether these meetings need to be an hour or could we have the same output in 45 mins? By condensing the meeting to a shorter time frame, attendees are likely to be more effective with that time.
In short, cut to the chase and get out of there. Makes sense. It also means that more time is spent on the task at hand instead of talking about it. Moreover, it also frees up time for staff to take a break afterwards.
Breakout
Breaks are vitally important for well-being at work. Apart from the physical need to get up from your desk to avoid circulation or posture problems. It’s also crucial to take regular breaks from a computer screen.
If you start to feel stressed, get up and walk around the office or home. Or, if it’s possible, go for a quick stroll outside. Those five minutes in the fresh air will clear your head.
These issues have been widely discussed and reported so many of us already know the importance of them.
- Regular short breaks are more beneficial than fewer long ones.
- Support your back with a properly adjusted chair.
- Use a footrest if you must and don’t cross your legs.
- Screens should be at eye level and make sure you adjust the brightness.
For the full run-down of helpful tips on how to sit correctly at work, look at this great advice from the NHS.
live-well/healthy-body/how-to-sit-correctly/
Our boss’s thoughts
Eastbank CEO, Jason Arden also shared his thoughts with us:
“I suppose the past few months have made us all evaluate life and we’ve all thought more about what’s important. I really want to try and make a difference in other areas of the business to start helping people in some way. This virus isn’t going away and, it’s going to start affecting people psychologically. Living with such restrictions in our daily lives will have a detrimental effect on our mental health and general well-being. “
He added,
“In London, we’re used to enjoying a bustling city that has so much to offer and now, simply going about your daily business is far from normal.
I believe it will cause a degree of trauma in people. Eventually, it will get to them if it hasn’t already.
It’s also causing resentment among people who might be struggling with financial problems, unemployment or job uncertainty. These are all very negative and powerful emotions which will eventually take their toll on people’s well-being. As company leaders, we must make sure we’re doing everything we can to support our colleagues. Otherwise, you won’t get the best from them and, your business could suffer. Even making small changes to how we do our daily tasks, could have a positive effect on a team-members’ productivity.”
We hope you and your colleagues will benefit from some of these tips and videos below. Good staff morale and well-being are of paramount importance to any company’s success.
Stay safe and well, everyone!
For more information on Charlotte Wiseman or to book a corporate first aid session, you can find out more here.