Measuring Wellbeing in the Workplace
As Senior Wellbeing Consultant, I work with many customers who are looking to really understand the best practices for measuring wellbeing and mental health.
Many organizations, especially our customers, realize that prioritizing the mental health of their employees fosters a positive workplace culture, drives productivity and benefits overall business performance.
For many companies, the measurement of whether their employees are doing well is around attrition or sick leave. With the rise in presenteeism, people are looking for better indicators of employee mental health.
Recognizing Mental Health as a Global Priority
The World Economic Forum recently released a report advising how organizations can effectively measure and address mental health issues within the workplace.
The report highlights the prevalence of mental health disorders globally, with one out of every two individuals expected to develop a mental health disorder in their lifetime.
Such conditions impact individual wellbeing while also creating challenges for organizational productivity and economic growth. Mental health consistently ranks among the top 10 causes of years lived with disability, prompting employers to help develop proactive workplace wellness programs to address these issues.
Importance of Measurement Systems
One of the fundamental aspects emphasized in the report is the significance of measurement in assessing the effectiveness of interventions. While it’s often said that “what gets measured gets managed,” the report stresses the need for meaningful measurements that go beyond simple data collection.
Employers are urged to invest in evidence-based approaches and collaborate with stakeholders to establish clear baselines and define desired outcomes.
Choosing the Right Metrics
The report cautions against relying solely on traditional metrics such as completed risk assessments or healthcare claims.
Instead, it advocates for a holistic approach that considers the complex relationship between various factors affecting mental health and wellbeing.
Organizations should focus on reducing common mental health conditions that impact productivity and are influenced by work.
Integrated Measurement Approaches
The report talks about the importance of integrated measurement approaches. Adopting tools that assess subjective wellbeing and reflect various factors of individual wellbeing helps organizations gain valuable insights into their work culture.
For instance, the wellbeing index developed by researchers at the University of Oxford correlates employee wellbeing with company performance. This provides a comprehensive understanding of how employee wellbeing impacts organizational success and resilience at work.
As mental health issues continue to gain prominence, employers must prioritize effective measurement and intervention strategies to create a positive work environment and a resilient workforce.
Aligning with Global Standards
The report highlights the alignment of measurement initiatives with international standards such as the ISO 45003, the global standard for psychological health and safety at work.
Adhering to these standards ensures that organizations follow established guidelines and best practices.
How ESG and Government Standards Promote Workplace Wellbeing
Governments and investment firms are also playing a significant role in driving transparency and accountability in wellbeing and mental health in the workplace.
Initiatives such as the National Standards for Workplace Psychological Health and Safety in Canada and the integration of mental health initiatives into ESG highlight the increasing importance of mental health for organizational sustainability.
Building Resilient Workplaces Through Mental Health Initiatives
In conclusion, the World Economic Forum report emphasizes the importance of investing in evidence-based tools and aligning with global standards to help organizations enhance employee wellbeing and drive business success.
Prioritizing mental health is not just a moral imperative but also a strategic business decision. Investing in employee wellbeing lays the foundation for long-term success and prosperity.
Our Research & Development team that I lead in Zevo Health is currently working on a formal classification for measuring Content Moderator wellbeing, which we hope to present at TrustCon.
