The report by EMCOR UK and Business in the Community explores actions to enhance workplace wellbeing.
- The document highlights the importance of equating mental health with physical health in the workplace.
- It stresses collaboration for ‘good jobs’ creation, enabling employees to shape their roles.
- The report underscores initiatives like the Mental Health Charter introduced by EMCOR UK.
- Stakeholders urge businesses to adapt lessons from the pandemic to improve work conditions.
The recent report by EMCOR UK, in partnership with Business in the Community, provides crucial insights into transforming wellbeing at the workplace. It suggests actionable steps for employers to prioritise employees’ mental and physical health equally. This initiative advocates a paradigm shift in employer-employee relationships, promoting open dialogue and collaboration.
A key recommendation from the report is to treat mental health with the same importance as physical health. This approach is designed to foster environments where employees can voice concerns without fear of repercussions. Such practices contribute to redefining job roles and creating what are termed ‘good jobs’, tailored to individual and organisational needs.
The findings further emphasise the need for cooperation in crafting these ‘good jobs’. By engaging employees in this process, companies can develop roles that boost satisfaction and productivity. Co-creation of job roles serves not only to enhance employee wellbeing but also to build stronger, more adaptable workforces.
An essential tool stemming from the report is EMCOR UK’s Mental Health Charter, introduced in January 2021. By promoting inclusivity and open discussions, this charter aims to normalise mental health talk in the workplace. It has led to initiatives such as resilience training for over 150 managers, driving significant positive change within the organisation.
Various external voices have endorsed the report, advocating for a strategic focus on mental health. Figures like David Oldfield from Lloyds Banking Group and Peter Cheese from the CIPD emphasised this as an opportunity to revolutionise work cultures. They highlighted that the pandemic has accelerated the need for inclusivity and employee-centred practices, enhancing not only wellbeing but also retention and productivity.
The report by EMCOR UK and its partners serves as a critical guidepost for modernising workplace wellbeing through strategic, inclusive practices.
