World Wellbeing Week starts today!

World Wellbeing Week starts today (24 June), and this year, Mates in Mind are encouraging us to start a conversation about mental wellbeing within our own organisations and across our networks.

Wellbeing World organises the awareness week, which celebrates all areas of wellbeing: "From meaningful and purposeful work to financial security, physical, mental, and emotional health, social resilience, empathic corporate and civic leadership, community relations, and environmental care".

Wellbeing in the workplace

World Wellbeing Week is important because:

• in 2023/24:
  • there were 776,000 cases of work-related stress, depression or anxiety,
  • stress, depression or anxiety accounted for 46% of all work-related ill-health cases and 55% of all working days lost due to work-related ill-health,
  • the main work factors cited as causing work-related stress, depression or anxiety include the demands of the job, lack of control, lack of information and support, work relationships, and roles and responsibilities;
• a CIPD 2023 report found that "around a third of respondents report that their health and wellbeing activity has resulted in better employee morale and engagement [35%] and a healthier and more inclusive culture [31%]", although 37% of respondents said it was too early to tell.

In 2024, the Health Foundation said stress and health issues can be exacerbated in some higher-risk occupations such as:

• construction;
• transport and logistics; and
• farming.

The Foundation stated that addressing these challenges will require sector-specific improvements in job security, working conditions and tailored support, particularly for smaller employers and self-employed workers who lack access to basic support and dedicated HR services.

Employers have a legal duty to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of their employees, including mental health and stress.

Good mental wellbeing also benefits the business by:

• increasing productivity;
• reducing sickness and staff turnover;
• demonstrating that the organisation is a good, safe, and supportive place to work,

Research by Deloitte in 2022 found that, on average, businesses achieve a £5 return for every £1 spent on wellbeing support.

How can employers get involved?

World Wellbeing Week is a powerful moment for employers to pause, reflect and act. It is an opportunity for employers to show their teams that their wellbeing is genuinely valued and a top priority at their organisation.

Meaningful action speaks louder than policy documents, which is why the week is the perfect time to make your support visible, tangible and felt, whether it is through daily wellness touchpoints, wellbeing gifts with impact, or opening up more human conversations.

Ways for employers to get involved in World Wellbeing Day include:

• team wellbeing through community and giving - organise a team volunteering, support a cause your employees care about, or choose a gift that aligns with your goals;
• everyday habits that support physical health - encourage small, daily actions that help your team feel better physically, such as a walking meeting, stretching break or virtual yoga session;
• make space for open conversations about stress and mental health: this could be as simple as a regular team check-in, promoting access to mental health resources, or encouraging people to take proper breaks;
• real connection in hybrid teams - in a mix of remote and in-person working, meaningful connection doesn't always happen naturally; use this week to bring people together through a coffee catch-up, team wellbeing challenge, or by sending a thank you gift to show appreciation;
• building confidence with financial wellbeing - share resources on budgeting or offer access to financial wellbeing tools, such as a session with a financial coach;
• finding meaning in the work they do - help employees reconnect with the purpose behind their roles by highlighting the impact of their work, celebrating milestones and sharing stories from across the business.