# What actions can business leaders in the finance industry take to improve wellness? Author: Pal Sinha, Barnali Author URL: https://financedigest.com/author/pal-sinha-barnali Published: 2018-09-22 Category: BUSINESS Category URL: https://financedigest.com/category/business Meta Title: 5 Key Strategies to Improve Employee Wellness at Work Meta Description: Discover how to support staff mental and physical health in the workplace for increased productivity and reduced absenteeism. Implement strategies today! URL: https://financedigest.com/what-actions-can-business-leaders-in-the-finance-industry-take-to-improve-wellnesshtml ![undefined](https://prod.superblogcdn.com/site_cuid_cm5qst7v3003gwirgwqtxn8i8/images/fd220918-1-1736840255295-compressed.jpg) Employee wellness is all about ensuring staff are happy and healthy in and out of work. Mental health-related presenteeism costs employers up to three times the cost of mental health-related absence so it’s more important than ever for businesses to take action and take greater responsibility for the wellbeing of employees1. > It’s undoubtedly a win-win for both parties as employees are more likely to work longer and be more productive when they are happy and healthy. Alongside this, it is emerging that employees are calling out for greater support at work, with 8 in 10 [saying they do not believe](https://www.financedigest.com/go-for-it-think-positive-believe-in-yourself-and-do-what-you-love-says-dawn-elliott-of-sew-confident-chorley.html "“Go for it, think positive, believe in yourself and do what you love” says Dawn Elliott of Sew Confident Chorley") their employer does enough to support their physical and mental wellbeing2. Richard Holmes, Director of Wellbeing at Westfield Health, advises what actions you can take in your business to improve wellness. 1. **Encourage staff to get out the office** “Not only is eating at your desk bad for your body, it’s bad for your work and your [mental health](https://www.financedigest.com/the-power-of-mindset-meditation-and-mental-health.html "The power of mindset, meditation and mental health"). Getting fresh air and a change of scenery will mean employees return to their desks feeling recharged and less stressed. It is also a good [way to encourage employees to get out the office](https://www.financedigest.com/5-unique-ways-to-go-greener-in-the-office.html "5 unique ways to go greener in the office") and exercise. You can also help decrease the risk of depression and poor [mental health by suggesting a walking meeting](https://www.financedigest.com/meeting-of-minds-using-technology-to-reimagine-mental-health-support.html "Meeting of minds: Using technology to reimagine mental health support") every now and again.” 2. **Approachable line managers** “The first point of call sits with line managers. As well as helping employees achieve their work-related goals, a [key part of a line manager’s](https://www.financedigest.com/energy-management-system-market-2021-by-global-key-players-types-applications-countries-industry-size-and-forecast-to-2025.html "Energy Management System Market 2021 by Global Key Players, Types, Applications, Countries, Industry Size and Forecast to 2025") role is to be an approachable mentor, a good listener and to be understanding. This communication between an employee and their line manager can play a massive part in their mental wellbeing at [work](https://www.financedigest.com/the-evolving-world-of-work-what-next-for-employers.html "The Evolving World Of Work – What Next For Employers?") and therefore reduce mental health related absences.” 3. **Destigmatise mental health** “In 2016/17, there were over half a million (526,000) cases of work related stress, depression or anxiety, and this accounted for 40% of all work-related ill health1. A ‘mental health day’ [gives staff](https://www.financedigest.com/ubs-gives-hong-kong-staff-covid-quarantine-cash-memo.html "UBS gives Hong Kong staff COVID quarantine cash -memo") the ability to treat a mental health absence with the same approach as a physical sickness day.  This will reduce the stigma around mental health and encourage staff to [talk openly](https://www.financedigest.com/global-climate-talks-open-to-cries-of-betrayal-blame.html "Global climate talks open to cries of betrayal, blame") about their mental wellbeing. It is also a good way to monitor how people are feeling, for instance if someone is absent as a result of their mental health, something can be put in place to monitor and support them.” 4. **Keep it fun** “Implement schemes and competitions in the workplace as an incentive for staff to get involved. Competitions can include sports days, quizzes or a step challenge and can either be judged individually or in teams. Introduce prizes to build competitiveness such as a free massage, [healthy food](https://www.financedigest.com/demand-for-healthy-food-products-is-pushing-sales-growth-of-next-generation-stevia-market.html "Demand For Healthy Food Products Is Pushing Sales Growth Of Next Generation Stevia Market") vouchers or a gym subscription, resulting in a happier, healthier lifestyle.” 5. **Flexible working** “The traditional 9 to 5 hours may not fit in with everyone’s lifestyle, so offering a flexible schedule may make a lot of employee’s lives easier. Businesses can also offer the option to [work from home a few days](https://www.financedigest.com/no-more-five-working-days-how-getting-paid-immediately-can-transform-black-friday-for-merchants.html "No more ‘five working days’ – how getting paid immediately can transform Black Friday for merchants") a week. If an employee has a long commute, this can have a [big impact](https://www.financedigest.com/analysis-financial-literacy-or-luck-the-year-small-time-traders-made-a-big-impact.html "Analysis-Financial literacy or luck? The year small-time traders made a big impact") on energy levels and general wellbeing. For more information, visit [https://www.westfieldhealth.com/](https://www.westfieldhealth.com/) 1 According to the Deloitte UK Mental Health Monitor, October 2017: [https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/uk/Documents/public-sector/deloitte-uk-mental-health-employers-monitor-deloitte-oct-2017.pdf](https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/uk/Documents/public-sector/deloitte-uk-mental-health-employers-monitor-deloitte-oct-2017.pdf) 2 Research conducted by Westfield Health in April 2018, surveying 2,025 UK employees --- This blog is powered by Superblog. Visit https://superblog.ai to know more. ---