From pitch to pub to playground, mental health is a bigger conversation than ever – and rightly so. According to figures from the charity Mind, 1 in 4 people in England experience a mental health problem every year (1 in 6 on a weekly basis), with anxiety and depression the most common conditions. 

The good news is that, in response, wellbeing is becoming increasingly important in our daily lives, as well as in our workplaces. It’s something we value greatly at One Studio – not just with the clients whom we choose to work with, but in the way we run our agency. So, with Mental Health Week in full swing, here are some ideas your business could try to boost your employees’ wellbeing. 

1. Check in with staff regularly

This is one of the most important things you can do as an employer – have an interest in your employees’ lives outside the office, so you can be supportive when life inevitably happens.

While one-to-one meetings are often the best way, you could arrange a lunch, or even a drink at your local coffee stop, and check in more informally (at One Studio, we schedule in-person catch-ups quarterly, and regularly keep in touch online or over WhatsApp).

Some employers also offer an ‘open door’ policy where employees can drop in if they need to talk about something, or send out anonymous surveys as a kind of ‘barometer’ into general wellbeing.

2. Build teams up

A great way to prioritise mental health at work is to focus on team-building activities that foster a supportive, collaborative and open culture – like the regular hikes we take together in stunning local woodland.

But it’s not just about events and bonding over the office biscuit tin. It’s about ingraining honesty, teamwork and communication, so teams build trust, motivate each other and learn and grow from their shared experiences. 

This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t critique your employees’ performance or set goals, but it does mean you should celebrate your teams in equal measure. 

3. Create work/life balance

Do those hours really need to be done at a desk – or between 9 and 5?
 
Allowing flexibility for employees to do their work around other commitments not only shows you care about their lives beyond the office, but that you trust them to do their job on their own timetable. With our core team being made up of mums, we know that making your kid’s Christmas concert is just as important as that global campaign you’re working on – but while you can make up that time, you can’t miss that memory.

While we’re on the subject, if you often find employees are working late due to last-minute client requests, it might be time to set some boundaries to help your teams feel just as valued (and share in that sense of loyalty).

4. Reward employees for their efforts

Could you incorporate an ‘Employee of the Month’ scheme? Are there vouchers or small prizes you could give out as wellbeing boosts for your employees? Could you hold a monthly meeting where employee commendations are shared? 

Being a smaller agency, we focus more on building each other up through our regular wins – like sharing client feedback, toasting our latest successful pitch, or celebrating features we’ve run with business magazines.

5. Celebrate diversity

As women in business, ensuring fair pay and flexible hours for our core female team is one of our key values. But, we recognise that diversity comes in many forms – so our message to any business is to always try to do better. 

You could encourage employees to set up initiatives for EDI and give space for mentoring and feedback. And on the business front, promote equal pay, circulate EDI resources regularly and seal diversity into your policies and training. 

Finally, from the words you use to the images you share and design, always be mindful of how different audiences will view them – what works for one group might be deeply offensive, ignorant or off-the-mark for another.

6. Home-in on training

Training might seem like a strange wellbeing boost for your employees, but investing time, resources and – yes – money into training is a great way to show up for your people. Of course, there’s a possibility employees will move on down the line, but upskilling them not only creates a sense of loyalty to your business, but opens up a world of opportunity for them to take on future roles and challenges. 

Training doesn’t need to focus on learning a different skill set for a different role. Sometimes, it can be more about developing life skills – such as boosting confidence or resilience at work.

As a small business that spans all areas (social, branding, web design, blogging) and all industries (tech, hospitality, wellness, retail), every specialist is supported by other team members who can step in when needed. Plus, we’re constantly attending industry events that help support our employees to grow.

7. Review your amenities

What does your workplace actually have to offer? 

While some up-and-coming businesses install arcade machines or a pool table in the hope of retaining talent, it can feel somewhat niche if your employees don’t share those interests. It can also create a false impression of your business and culture – where are employees going to draw the line between work and play?

Instead, think more generally about these wellbeing boosts for your employees:

• Are there places for employees to have comfortable meetings and informal catch-ups beyond the boardroom?
• Do you have an on-site canteen or kitchen, and if so, could you offer employees free food choices (like a jacket potato oven, ‘soup kitchen’ or fruit bowl)? You might find that when eating and taking breaks becomes more communal, employees also bring items from home to share. 
• Are your toilets clean and well-stocked? Offering pads, tampons and tissues shows everyone is welcome, supported and seen.

Of course, remote teams need a different approach. For those, it’s a case of keeping them well-stocked with stationery, equipment and little extras that can be popped in the post (think a pack of tea when it’s chilly). 

And finally…

What goes around comes around. Don’t just focus on the place where people work, but the work you do. As a sector closely aligned with healthcare and wellness – from Ragdale Hall Spa to Botanic Wellness, I’m Your Coach and Barnsley Infant Feeding – we know that not only do we have a great work environment, but we work for great causes, too.

If you’ve been nodding along as you’ve been reading this article, then there’s a fair chance you’ll like working with us. Whatever you’ve got on the books – a new campaign, bespoke website or social media ramp-up – we’d love to help. Email hello@weareonestudio.co.uk to get chatting.