Commit to transforming mental health and wellbeing at work - Business in the Community

Commit to transforming mental health and wellbeing at work

People do not expect to be physically injured at work and nor should they expect their mental health to be negatively impacted.

Louise Aston, Wellbeing Director at Business in the Community.

41% of employees experience poor mental health that is work related with the leading causes being excessive pressure, workload and long hours1.

The pandemic has changed the nature of where, when and how many of us work. We now have a once-in-a- lifetime opportunity to reimagine ways of working that transform mental health and wellbeing at work. The purpose of Business in the Community’s (BITC) What if your job was good for you? report is to drive employer actions that tackle the systemic root causes of work-related poor mental health to enable people to thrive.

Business in the Community (BITC) is calling on responsible business to seize this opportunity by taking two actions:

  1. Make the Mental Health at Work Commitment. A public declaration of putting mental health at the heart of post-pandemic recovery
  2. Tackle the systemic root causes of work related poor mental health. Prioritise Standard 2 of the Commitment by implementing BITC’s Better Work Framework. This provides the foundations for achieving parity between mental and physical health and safety and the opportunity for employees to co-create their own ‘good jobs’

Business in the Community’s Better Work Framework

How can Business in the Community support you to take action?

  1. BITC’s What If Your Job Was Good For You? report identifies actions employers can take to transform wellbeing at work. The report sets out how business leaders can create an environment in which employees feel supported to do their best work. It also outlines how to achieve good jobs for all, that drive sustainable positive mental health outcomes.
  2. Read and watch our What If Your Job Was Good For You? case studies for inspiration and guidance from public and private sector organisations across a range of sectors. These examples show that even in a time of stress and uncertainty workplaces can be proactive about ensuring work design and organisational culture drive positive mental health outcomes.
  3. BITC’s Wellbeing Advisers support our members to design and deliver health and wellbeing strategies for their organisations.

    If you are a BITC member contact your Relationship Manager to find out more. Contact us if you do not know who your relationship manager is.

    If you are not a BITC member talk to our membership team to discuss how we can support you
    on your responsible business journey.

transform health AND WELLBEING at work

References
  1. Business in the Community (2020) Mental Health at Work 2020: key findings