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Our last Masterclass of the year was delivered by Harry Bliss of Champion Health, who is a member of Connect Yorkshire. It was one of our most attended online Masterclasses this year. It was a really stimulating talk, with loads of interesting questions. Good health and wellbeing are vital for all companies. The second lockdown is proving much more difficult than the first in the summer.

I will try to summarise the key points of the talk and the questions that were asked mostly as the talk was running. 

How are we coping with lockdown

• 44% are struggling with back pains (up from 36% in the first lockdown).
• 49% are experiencing low self esteem.
• 25% have moderate depressive symptoms.
• 69% have trouble relaxing.
• 45% of workforces say poor health is impacting their productivity.
• 11% of employees are experiencing suicidal thoughts.

Crisis Stats

In the last 6 months of the crisis, the cause of death per week in the UK from; Road traffic accidents, cervical cancer, testicular cancer, flu, homicide, Motor neuron disease and epilepsy combined, are still fewer than that from suicide (120 deaths per week).

So what? – The Big Three

Moral – Look after your team because it’s the right thing to do.

Money – Many spend more on loo rolls than on employee wellbeing.

Legal – Reduce the risk of claims.

Stress Risk Assessment

If you have more than 5 employees you must carry out a risk assessment.

Building a successful health and wellbeing strategy

20 x more is spent on fire precautions than on mental health. People working remotely are more likely to have mental health problems.

Have a catch up every morning; ask how are you twice, a 10 minute phone call is better than a zoom, 121s are better for most, cover how is the company going in Covid, where is it going after Covid.

Long Term – the 4 Rs

1. Record – Identify your strengths and understand all items of health and wellbeing.
2. Report – Report and identify up to 3 priority issues you are going to tackle.
3. Resolve – Use clear actions to implement strategy. Get the data first then decide what you need to do.
4. Reassess – The success of your strategy and evaluate ways to improve on an ongoing basis.

Social Ecological Model

Any intervention needs to target at:

• Individual level – Employees knowledge, attitude, competence and confidence to engage with desired change.
• Interpersonal level – Key people around the individual employee, and the subsequent influence they have on that individual’s willingness to engage in change.
• Organisational level – Relates to culture, environment and practices that define your business

Miscellaneous

Back pain is a sign of a high degree of stress.

Exercise is very important, as is sharing stories, and talking to each other. Lloyds bank are ringing all their old customers, Cadbury’s are doing similar.

 

Nick Butler

25/11/20