Dr Zofia Bajorek’s Post

An ongoing study shared on the 'What Works Wellbeing' site, utilizing nationally-representative longitudinal data from Denmark, delves into the fascinating interplay between mental wellbeing and productivity costs on a national scale. The study underscores a compelling truth: Investing in staff wellbeing is a gateway to economic growth. Let's break down the findings and explore the impactful connection between employee wellbeing and thriving economies. 📊 In the UK, the economic toll of sickness absence, lost productivity, and health-related losses surpasses £100bn annually. The International Public Policy Observatory estimates poor staff mental health costs the NHS £12.1 billion yearly, with potential savings of up to £1 billion by addressing mental health and reducing voluntary departures. David McDaid from the London School of Economics notes that, even before the current cost-of-living crisis, UK employers faced up to £56 billion in annual costs due to poor staff mental health. The rise in economically inactive individuals now stands at 9 million. 🌟 Good mental health isn't just about well-being—it's a business asset. Countries like Denmark witness a correlation between high mental wellbeing and fewer sick days, translating to a reduction of USD $0.9-1.3bn per year in productivity losses. Each increase in mental wellbeing points in 2019 was associated with significant reductions in productivity loss per person in 2020. 🤝 Join the movement to reassess the value of employee health benefits. It's not just a compassionate choice; it's a strategic investment in a healthier, more productive future. 💪 #EmployeeWellbeing #EconomicGrowth #WorkplaceHealth #WellnessAtWork Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/ejcrKxYE.

See the latest trends in UK workers' physical and mental health and the effects on their productivity; plus the distinctive trends by age, gender, salary, seniority and work environment. https://lnkd.in/gRbxXSET

Interesting perspective on addressing obesity in the workplace! This article suggests that UK firms should consider measuring workers' waistlines as part of wellness initiatives. What are your thoughts on this approach? Do you think it could be effective in promoting healthier lifestyles among employees? #WellnessAtWork #EmployeeHealth #ObesityPrevention https://lnkd.in/evzaKXSv

Our research shows concerning implications for the UK economy. Findings from the Britain’s Healthiest Workplace survey, conducted in partnership with the FT, found UK employers were losing 50 days of work per employee last year because of poor physical and mental health.   This is equivalent to £138bn for Britain’s economy.   If health is prioritised by taking a more preventative approach, business and the wider economy stand to gain significantly. https://lnkd.in/eVH8mPRf

The Institute for Public Policy Research think tank is calling for a whole new role for employers in health: including a duty to ‘do no harm’. The recommendations come in the wake of the IPPR’s new report into presenteeism and its link to low productivity. It’s another reminder of the importance of engagement and creating a sense of belonging among employees, says EAPA UK chair Karl Bennett #eapauk #mentalhealthsupport #mentalhealthatwork #mentalhealth #wellbeingatwork #mentalhealthawareness #eap #employeewellbeing #mentalwellbeing www.eapa.org.uk

Five wellbeing challenges employers will need to tackle in 2024

🚨 $6,615.50 per beneficiary per year! 🚨This is what employers can save by integrating health benefit design and workplace culture, according to The U.S. Surgeon General. It's no surprise when you consider that 84% of us have experienced workplace conditions that contributed to at least one mental health challenge. 🧠💼   To help make the most of your health and well-being benefits strategy, it is crucial to address how our work environment impacts mental health. Ask yourself: How can our workplace better support the health needs of our workers, where could our health benefits be better integrated and communicated? 🤔💬   🔑To help answer this question and guide organizations in creating healthier, more supportive spaces for employees, The U.S. Surgeon General has outlined Five Essentials for Workplace Mental Health & Well-Being:   🛡️ Protection from Harm: Ensure both physical and psychological safety. 🤝 Connection & Community: Foster a culture of inclusion and belonging. ⚖️ Work-Life Harmony: Promote flexibility and respect for boundaries. 🎯 Mattering at Work: Show them that their work is valued and meaningful. 📈 Opportunity for Growth: Provide clear paths for learning & advancement.   💡 Now's the time, while in Open Enrollment season, let’s take this moment not just to focus on benefits selection but to reflect on how we can create a work environment that supports both the physical and mental well-being of all employees. Let’s ensure that mental health is front and center during this season! 🌟   #OpenEnrollment #WorkplaceWellbeing #MentalHealthMatters #EmployeeBenefits #WellbeingAtWork   📚 Find out more: 🔗 The Surgeon General's Priorities on Workplace Mental Health & Well-Being 🔗 The U.S. Surgeon General's Framework for Workplace Mental Health & Well-Being 🔗 Reflection Questions for Workplace Mental Health & Well-Being   References: 💵 Per beneficiary per year savings: Based on reduced claims dollars for covered employees diagnosed with depression in the 12 months following a workplace campaign for a Midwest academic employer. See page 32 of the U.S. Surgeon General's Framework. 📊 Mental health challenge percentage: Based on a 2021 survey of 1,500 U.S. adult workers across sectors (American Psychological Association 2022). Source.

Creating healthy places to work Proud to be a fellow of Royal Society for Public Health and champion the work/partnerships they create across public health systems (and also support this approach in the private sector I support their stance with the next Government in terms of workplace health "Driven by you, we have called on the next government to put public health at the heart of its agenda. Your work has highlighted three key areas where action is crucial, highlighting the area of workplace wellbeing below Creating healthy places to work More people than ever are leaving the workforce due to ill-health, which is costing the economy around £150 billion a year. Incentivising employers to provide wellbeing and occupational health support can ensure that people return to work, and stay in work, in good health. As the world’s oldest public health agency, the RSPH has a proud history of advocating for and enabling changes that transform the nation’s health for the better. We look forward to working with you to continue that tradition and to help build a more healthy and prosperous future for all.

Are we on the cusp of seeing wellbeing at the heart of business decision making? LSE’s groundbreaking new project aims to reshape government policy by showing how cost benefit analysis on wellbeing and life satisfaction could be introduced to national decision making. They aim to demonstrate that cost-benefit analysis, based on wellbeing data, is applicable to most major social policies. The ultimate goal is to identify, and then focus on, the most cost-effective projects in improving people's life satisfaction, thus maximising limited resources. Imagine if a similar approach were applied to businesses. Imagine if wellbeing data became a core component making decisions? Every decision could then be partially, or even fully, a "human decision." This may increasingly have to be the case, as social pressure mounts and greater employee expectation for work to not be damaging to employees, forcing employers to look to wellbeing evidence to support their decision making. Is this idealistic? Perhaps. However, according to the article, Sir Keir Starmer highlighted (pre manifesto) his commitment to treating “wellbeing equally to economic growth”. I will leave it up to you to work out to what extent this is represented in yesterday’s manifesto launch, but fingers crossed projects such as this will propel fruther momentum in the direction of human centric decision making! #wellbeing #policy https://lnkd.in/eB_aJE3c

Are we on the cusp of seeing wellbeing at the heart of business decision making? LSE’s groundbreaking new project aims to reshape government policy by showing how cost benefit analysis on wellbeing and life satisfaction could be introduced to national decision making. They aim to demonstrate that cost-benefit analysis, based on wellbeing data, is applicable to most major social policies. The ultimate goal is to identify, and then focus on, the most cost-effective projects in improving people's life satisfaction, thus maximising limited resources. Imagine if a similar approach were applied to businesses. Imagine if wellbeing data became a core component making decisions? Every decision could then be partially, or even fully, a "human decision." This may increasingly have to be the case, as social pressure mounts and greater employee expectation for work to not be damaging to employees, forcing employers to look to wellbeing evidence to support their decision making. Is this idealistic? Perhaps. However, according to the article, Sir Keir Starmer highlighted (pre manifesto) his commitment to treating “wellbeing equally to economic growth”. I will leave it up to you to work out to what extent this is represented in yesterday’s manifesto launch, but fingers crossed projects such as this will propel foruther momentum in the direction of human centric decision making! #wellbeing #policy https://lnkd.in/emKf44Wk