How I can maintain the health and wellbeing of my staff
Meet Staff Basic Needs First
Managers should ensure staff have access to:
- Regular breaks , hydration, and nutritious food
- Rest facilities , such quiet rooms and spaces
- Safe and hygienic environments , including functional toilets and secure storage
Foster a Supportive Culture
- Encourage open conversations about wellbeing and personal needs
- Model compassionate leadership, by showing empathy and understanding
- Challenge unacceptable behaviours and promote inclusivity
Empower and upskill staff
- Provide training and development opportunities tailored to individual goals
- Support career progression and personal growth
- Have meaningful career conversations regularly
Engage in Honest Communication
- Acknowledge challenges like burnout and workload pressures, don't down play it
- Avoid over-reliance on resilience narratives; instead, address root causes of stress
- Use feedback tools like the NHS Staff Survey to inform your local actions to help address the health and wellbeing of your team
Implement Structured Wellbeing Plans
- Prioritise meaningful conversations with staff about their wellbeing in appraisals and 1:1s and make wellbeing plans where needed
- Collaborate with HR, occupational health, and staff networks and make sure you are aware of the health and wellbeing initiatives available so you can sign post as needed
- Evaluate the impact of your local wellbeing initiatives and adjust based on staff feedback
Want to recognise your team?
Never underestimate the power of timely and sincere praise; whether through a personal thank-you, a shout out in a team meeting, or accessing one of the formal recognition schemes. Small gestures like hand-written notes, development opportunities or celebrating achievements go a long way to make people feel valued and motivated.