January 22, 2024Workplace wellbeing is for life – not just for January. That’s the message to employers who are being encouraged to demonstrate their commitment to their staff.
Image credit: Unsplash/Rohan.
Employers are being asked to show their awareness that January is a time where employees take stock and make important life and career decisions, which can impact mental wellbeing.
GRiD, the industry body for the group risk sector, believe now is when employers need to be proactive in supporting the mental wellbeing of their staff.
Katharine Moxham, spokesperson for GRiD, said: “Many employers begin the new year very much focussed on their renewed ambitions for the business itself.
“However, it’s important to understand that employees may have also used the festive period to reassess their own lives and may return to work with additional plans and burdens.
“Blue Monday is a good reminder that employers need to be aware of the mental wellbeing of staff, but it’s important to remember that mental health support should be continual and not just for Blue Monday.
“Mental health is often discussed in a very socially acceptable manner but make no mistake, in the more severe cases, support is aimed at reducing the incidence of some very serious conditions.
“Not every employee will feel the pressure of Blue Monday or want to make significant changes to their lives in January, but employers need to be ready and waiting with meaningful support, for those who do.”
Further reading: Beyond Blue Monday
GRiD believe employees often spend the turn of the year reflecting on possible changes in roles, working patterns or pay rise as well as decisions to change the status of a relationship, move house or start a family.
On top of this, debt, winter blues, seasonal affective disorder, broken resolutions, and a physical hangover from Christmas excesses happen at this time of year.
Advice includes to offered various types of support to meet the needs of those with mild anxiety through to more severe depression and psychosis including access to therapy, treatment and counselling with fast-track access to professional mental health support for those who require it.
