Whether it’s getting behind a wellbeing strategy, showing support for a new health initiative, or setting good examples, business leaders play a hugely important part in promoting workplace wellbeing.
And it’s good to see that wellbeing is increasingly becoming a priority. Our research with the CIPD shows that wellbeing is on senior leaders’ agendas in 61 per cent of organisations: an increase of 6 per cent on 2018.
Getting senior leaders to engage with employee wellbeing can often be challenging, but it’s critical for the success of any wellbeing efforts.
Aligning wellbeing priorities with organisation strategy is the first step to encouraging leadership buy-in. Just 40 per cent of employers say that they have a standalone wellbeing strategy in support of their wider organisation strategy.
By aligning the two, it enables employee wellbeing to retain focus and priority within the business. It helps senior leaders understand and value the impact looking after wellbeing can have on the business, giving a strategy the boost it needs to launch successfully, and to grow and develop over time.
Creating a positive work culture is another area where business leaders can be highly influential. Certain behaviours can help drive this, inspiring the workforce to look after their health and wellbeing.
We’ve found that some unhealthy practices are becoming more prevalent in UK workplaces. Four in five organisations report observing presenteeism over the past 12 months, and nearly two-thirds have seen leavism.
By role-modelling healthy practices, such as taking on manageable workloads, not coming into work when unwell, or not sending emails outside working hours, leaders will be able to demonstrate to employees what is expected of them.
Leaders can make or break a wellbeing strategy. To make sure you win their support, take a look at our how-to guide on engaging leadership with workplace wellbeing.