Employee engagement and mental health

Employee engagement levels in the UK are one of the worst in Europe with fewer than one in 10 UK employees feeling enthusiastic about their job. Just 9% of UK workers surveyed for Gallup's 'State of the global workforce' report felt enthused by their work and workplace in 2022, well below the European average of 14%

But what can you do to help? 

Introducing an Employee Benefits package - like Sage - is a good place to start.  Offering everything from discounts, gym memberships, OnDemand GP services and Employee Assistance Programmes the platform helps drive employee loyalty and motivation. 

One key area that is often in the spotlight is employee mental health, but many smaller companies are unsure how to tackle this sometimes “sensitive” subject.  The first rule to remember is to help normalize the conversation about mental health so your employees feel supported to talk about their issues.

Your Sage Employee Benefits platform gives you access to the award-winning assistance programme offered by our partner Health Assured. But what can you do now...?

1. Be flexible

All employees are different.  Be prepared to adapt ways of working and encourage employees to make suggestions as to how they can best achieve what is expected of them.  Consider flexible working, such as adjusting hours or remote working (if possible) to help your staff achieve a better work-life balance.  Make modifications to the work environment to help employees who may be struggling.

2. Help employees go home on time!

Make “clocking-off” sacred!  An environment that expects and encourages extra unpaid hours and working late is not healthy and – while it might seem a good thing – will drive down productivity and lead to burnout. Regular breaks are important too in keeping staff focused and energized throughout their working day.

Set good examples – if you regularly “burn the midnight oil” make sure your employees know this is not expected of them.  Sending emails or making calls out-of-hours is a sure way to annoy staff as you are encroaching on their home time.  Set clear boundaries.

3. Set realistic goals

Most people respond well to a target but setting unachievable goals will demotivate your team.  A feeling of regularly missing targets and underachieving can lead to stress and anxiety which can, in turn, lead to physical illness resulting in increased sick leave.  Alongside “clocking-off-time”, think about rewarding achievements and effectiveness and not hours worked.

4. Think about mental health training

St John Ambulance offers a wide range of Mental Health First Aider courses to upskill your team and provide real hands-on support.

5. Signpost help

The Sage Employee Benefits’ Confidential Support Line offers advice from trained staff 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year.  Advice is available on all areas from financial worries, relationship issues, legal matters and much more.  Putting help at your employees’ fingertips whenever and wherever they need it is a key benefit which will help your staff and your business.

For more information on Sage Employee Benefits please speak to your Account Manager today!