We joined in 2023 the Wellbeing at Work Programme through East Sussex County Council. The programme aims to provide support to East Sussex employers, with improving employee health and wellbeing in the work place. The programme offers workplace health resources, training events and a signposting service to those working in East Sussex.
We spend a huge proportion of our time at work, and therefore, it is vital that employers play a key role in contributing to the health of the workforce. The top 3 causes of long-term employee absence are preventable. These are mental ill health, musculoskeletal conditions, and work-related stress. In recent years 41% of employees experienced poor mental health caused by work. In the UK 14.3 million days were lost to stress, depression, and anxiety in 2019 alone. Aches and pains account for 17.7% of all sickness absences.
We place our employees’ health and wellbeing as a priority and conducted an employee wellbeing survey to improve staff satisfaction and retention, and to increase employee engagement. We are committed to supporting our staff in their wellbeing and having a productive and healthy workforce.
We have been awarded the Bronze level accreditation and in 2024 will be working towards the Silver award.
The Wellbeing at Work Team for East Sussex Council are quoted:-
“Dawson Hart Solicitors, based in Uckfield, achieved the Wellbeing at Work Small Business Bronze Award in November 2023.
The company dived in at Bronze level, achieving the award within approximately 6 months! As part of the award, the workplace has established a weekly lunch time walk and Wellbeing Committee, which meets monthly and supports two-way communication between staff and members. Staff have also attended suicide prevention and Mental Health First Aid training.
From their involvement in the Wellbeing at Work programme, Dawson Hart have also updated their Policies and promoted MSK pain and disorders and how they can be prevented. Information on workstation exercises has been shared, with print outs available in kitchen areas. Employees also received an invitation to a free back check, following an all staff meeting where MSK prevention and management were discussed.
The Award Lead, Nicola said that of the Wellbeing at Work experience “the programme has provided great support and a useful framework for staff wellbeing”. Employees have noticed wellbeing is actively talked about, encouraged and clearly communicated in the workplace since the introduction of the award”.
Nicki Harding