Change can be daunting but managed properly it can be the start of something truly amazing.

This is a quote on our Blue Sky Financial Planning website, designed to encourage people to take more control of their lives. Change instigated personally is tough enough to deliver but enforced change can be very debilitating. Yet, with change comes opportunities.

There is no doubt that some people have lost weight and feel healthier than they have been for years. Fantastic. Others have gone the other way and put on some extra baggage. Hard work ahead!

Physical changes are easy to spot but how people are feeling mentally is very tough to gauge. We are very clever at hiding things, aren’t we? I’m sure all of us know of someone, if not families, who have found the last 6 months very tough indeed.

I’ve detected a cultural change amongst some employers of late in response to the Covid crisis. It’s awakened many to appreciate the value of a good team and reinforced the importance of looking after everyone in the team.

Employers themselves have been through a difficult time and there is nothing like a personal adverse experience to help you understand the plight of others.

Of course, we are all different and a multi-functional approach separates the best employers from the rest. Those that have created mental health support, guidance and facilitation have stood out from the rest.

Ways in which businesses can help

• Have a well-being specialist on hand to help and guide employees through difficult times.

• Create greater flexibility in terms of working hours and places of work.

• Check in personally with employees and listen carefully to what they tell you.

• Encourage everyone to take time away from their work. Walk, exercise etc

• Keep employees upbeat by communicating positive news stories about the business wherever possible.

It’s not enough for businesses to say they do something towards helping their employees with mental health and well-being. How do they measure the effectiveness of their support?

Most businesses have key performance indicators they measure around sales and service but how do they leverage the data on employee well-being? When employees are healthy and engaged, they are generally more satisfied, fulfilled, and productive at work.

A focus on supporting the mental health of employees is not only the right and moral thing to do, it is essential for the business to flourish.

Just like businesses will be remembered for how they dealt with customers during this crisis, employers will be remembered for how well they looked after their employees.

I suspect that the organisations who prioritise their teams as part of an overall broader sustainable and inclusive strategy will be better placed to create value and profitability in the immediate future.

Gary Neild B.Sc.Hons. DipIP PFA

Managing Director

Blue Sky Financial Planning