Work Life Balance - Can you really afford to go without?

Stress, anxiety and musculoskeletal disorders are the leading causes in absenteeism today yet these are for the most part preventable. So why are Irish businesses literally working themselves in to the ground?

In an attempt to create a lean, efficient corporate machine, bonuses, perks and benefits have been axed left right and centre. In the midst of all this corporate wellness has found itself unfairly labelled a luxury rather than a fundamental part of healthy business.  In addition to the lack of focus on employee health, the factors that negatively affect individual health (stress, anxiety, rapid change and additional workloads) have metastasised and grown exponentially.

Arthritis Ireland claim; The health of Ireland’s workforce is undermining our competitiveness.

Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) cause 50% of absences from work and costs the Irish economy €750 million annually. Early intervention and diagnosis could help keep workers fit for work for longer.

The human cost of work stress and strain has featured heavily in the media in light of the deaths at Foxconn and France Télécom last year.  Penalties for non compliance and breach of EU health and safety guidelines pertaining to stress are at the discretion of each country. In the case of France Télécom this could be severe and end in massive fines and jail time for the parties involved not to mention the amount of bad feeling and bad press associated

with the story.  The state prosecution service in Besançon said that it was investigating France Télécom on suspicion of ''manslaughter through lack of care, inattention, negligence and failing to respect a duty of prudence''.

These are extreme case of course but what's to prevent a similar situation unfolding here? With blatant disregard for mental health and stress in workplaces by both employee and employer, it seems like only a matter of time.

So when the budget is nominal, minimal or non-existent what can be done in the face of rising absenteeism, presenteeism and low morale?

The ideal Work Life Balance plan has the support of the CEO, directors and decision makers; has appropriate funding when possible; a clear HR policy on Work Life Balance; comprehensive plans to deal with physical, emotional and mental wellbeing of

staff; constant re-evaluation taking in to account any changes in the business or organisation; and SMART objectives and benchmarking.

There are ways to improve Work Life Balance rapidly and at low or zero cost: Employee engagement is one of the key factors in improving staff morale. Involving a cross section of employees in discussion and brainstorming can shed new light on how simple alterations and implementations can make big changes to how people feel about their workplace. 

Employee funded services are also an option. Work Life Balance offers a range of services including on site massage, fitness as well as stress and time management which can all be funded by employees, employers and can be fully or partially subsidised. For full details please visit www.myworklifebalance.ie

A complimentary consultation on Work life Balance is also available. Take the time to create a Work Life Balance strategy. Can your company really afford not to?

On Site Massage - Priceless...

Corporate on site massage has become more popular over the last ten years with many employers contracting a therapist full time. During boom times this was often fully subsidised however employee funded schemes are becoming more commonplace.

For those who aren't quite sure what it's about. On site massage is typically a short seated massage done over clothing and addressing problem areas such as shoulders, arms, hands, neck and head. These areas are prone to strain and tension in desk bound employees.

On site massage is an inexpensive employee perk with massive return on investment.  It has been shown to reduce the risk of repetitive strain injury (carpal tunnel syndrome etc), relieve muscular aches and pains as well as improving mood. Moreover the treatment has been proven to lower blood pressure, anxiety and has been recommended in the treatment of depression. 

For the company it equates to fewer sick days, fewer instances of litigation (stress related claims), an improved work environment and most importantly for the bottom line - a marked increase in productivity.

On site massage is a small but key part of any work life balance plan. The benefits are clear and well documented. The only question remaining - is it offered in your workplace?

Work Life Balance offers both partially/fully subsidised schemes as well as employee funded visits.

For bookings and further information please contact info@myworklifebalance.ie or visit http://www.myworklifebalance.ie/

Suicide: "You can't bring that word in here..."

Amnesty International has spoken out about the resistance encountered when running suicide prevention workshops in companies around the country. With over 40 hours spent at work each week – employers are in prime position to spot signs of depression and anxiety in their staff but still mental health taboos prevent appropriate action.

Worrying statistics were released recently indicating a rise in suicide in Ireland. Last year there was an increase of 100 cases from the previous year with some suicide prevention help lines reporting numbers of callers had doubled in 12 months.

There has been huge upheaval in recent times – job changes, redundancies, wage cuts, increased pressures and strained relationships are commonplace yet mental health issues associated with such levels of change; depression and suicide still seem to be unmentionable in the workplace.

A recent study by DCU showed that half of all people surveyed did not want anyone at all to know that they had a mental health problem. 43% surveyed also felt that they had been treated unfairly in retaining their job once their problems came to light.

 The charity Aware recommends reaching out and availing of the supports and help that is offered.   Attempting to cope with depression or anxiety can be tough without trying to keep colleagues and employers in the dark. It’s difficult, painful and should be completely unnecessary.

Ireland attitude towards mental illness has historically been appalling.  We once held the world record for institutionalising its citizens with a huge proportion of the population in psychiatric institutions.  Times and treatments have moved on but attitudes are very slow to change on the subject of mental health.

Educating staff and front line managers is essential in creating and maintaining a healthy work environment.  Learning to spot early warning signs could be the difference between life and death.  Watch for extreme behavioural changes. – An extravert becoming increasingly quiet and vice versa, a colleague who never drank, drinking heavily etc. 

Employee Assistance Programmes are not expensive yet many companies still go without, despite the possible ramifications. Very basic employee assistance should incorporate phone based crisis support with professionals trained to give advice and deal with issues, concerns and worries. 

Until a dialogue is opened up about mental health in the workplace the taboo will remain. Education and frank discussion is essential to bring about necessary change.

If you are suffering from depression or anxiety speak to your GP and a trusted friend/colleague.  Don’t suffer in silence. For more information visit Aware at www.aware.ie.

For further advice on setting up an effective EAP in your workplace contact info@myworklifebalance.ie

Paternity Leave - a lot to be desired

Under EU proposals last year, Ireland could soon be forced to readdress current legislation regarding paternity leave. Irish representatives at the council of the European Parliament along with a majority of other countries objected strongly.

Why? On the basis that employers could not afford such a change in the current economic climate.

The UK seem to be embracing the guidelines and plans are set to be introduced in April which will allow mothers to transfer any of their maternity leave to their partner. Currently this leave is unpaid but there has been much discussion regarding a proposed 10 month paid paternity leave.

So will Irish employers be forced to follow suit? Currently women are entitled to 26 weeks leave with benefit and an additional 16 weeks unpaid.  Many employers do allow new dads unpaid or annual leave but there is absolutely no obligation on the employer. Some companies do allow ‘special leave’ when their child is born however this is on average 2 working days.

Culturally changes to paternity leave legislation have been met with mixed reactions. When Canadian law changed some time ago allowing lengthy periods of paid paternity leave, there was little or no uptake. Studies showed that socially it was still unacceptable for a man to stay at home even if it was financially the best solution for the couple.  There was also the fear of being at a disadvantage when it came to returning to the workplace.  This is in complete contrast with Scandinavian countries where it is viewed negatively if an employee refuses to take due leave. So how would it fit in with modern Irish society?

Officially no study has been done so far with regards to the kind of uptake to expect however it is estimated that it would cost €300m to implement here. Provisional numbers in the UK show that almost half of all working fathers plan to avail of the new legislation after April.

The Equality Authority has spoken out in favour of the move. They believe that legislation has not been kept up to date with the changing gender roles in modern Ireland.  The Irish Small and Medium Enterprise Association pointed out however that if someone is on leave you must pay them while also paying for a replacement. At a time when small businesses can ill afford additional costs, this kind of proposal may bankrupt them. In Ireland it would be up to the legislators to decide if it would be the employer or the government to foot the bill for paternity benefit.  There is worry that the additional financial implications of any changes may be the straw that breaks the back of small to medium enterprise in Ireland.

Changes to employment equality legislation have always been slow and historically met with significant fear and resistance however there may be no choice in that matter soon.  Given the huge opposition the by  the majority in the European Parliament, the issue is likely to be shelved for a little while but with our neighbours in the UK introducing benefits far beyond the EU recommendations it’s likely to become a familiar topic in the weeks to come.

Warning: Tobacco may seriously damage your career...

While most of us stayed safely indoors this winter out of the driving snow and sleet, some hardy employees ventured out to stand in the freezing conditions in search of... Nicotine.

While everyone knows that smoking harms your health and the health of those around you, did you know that it could soon damage your career too? 

Two Florida hospitals have joined a growing number of employers in the US who have implemented a ban on hiring smokers.  Part of the hiring process is a nicotine test and continual testing throughout their employment.  In the UK things are changing too.  County councils are insisting that smokers clock in and out as they will no longer be paid for smoke breaks.

According to the Irish Small Firms Association, this anti smoking sentiment has not been driven by the employers but by the non smoking employees.  In some cases there is all out war between smokers and non smokers in the workplace with disagreements about smoke breaks being one of the most common employee complaints reported.

It’s not surprising when - the average smoker spends more than a year of their working life at smoke breaks while also working on average one hour less a day than their non smoking co workers.

Most smokers in Ireland take 4 x 15 minute breaks a day which from the management’s point of view means losing 240 working hours a year per employee.

The associated health implications also cause smokers to take more sick days. Male smokers are a staggering 66% more likely to be absent from work than non smoking colleagues, female smokers are 23% more likely to be absent than their non smoking counterparts.

With this in mind it’s surprising that employers who have cut costs wherever possible have been slow to act and take measures to halt this loss of productivity.

So if you need another reason to quit smoking in 2011 – here you have it. Tobacco may seriously damage your career.

Visit your doctor for a full range of nicotine replacement products available. Some are prescription, some over the counter so go and discuss what option is best for you. Those who discuss a plan fully with their GP are twice as likely to successfully quit smoking.  It’s tough but the benefits of improved health, improved appearance, cash saving and protecting your family’s health make it worth it.

Simple steps towards healthy eating

With weight loss and healthy eating at the top of the New Year’s resolution list - here’s some ideas to get you started.

The key to healthy eating is essentially – everything in moderation. Diets that completely cut out a food group and require drastic changes to your daily rituals are hard to follow and often have varying results.

If you feel that you need some support then groups like weight watchers or the support of a friend can be helpful. If you feel however that you can go it alone then read on and start today – not tomorrow!

·         Use the food pyramid

o   Use a carbohydrate base for your meal (pasta, potato, rice – the brown varieties are especially good) and bulk it out with vegetables.  If you have a big appetite then bulking your meals up with vegetables will help you stay fuller for longer. You will also be benefitting from the array of vitamins and minerals in fresh veg. Try not to overcook veg however as you can destroy the goodness in them by doing so.

o   Snack on fresh fruit during the day. There is a massive range of fruits available – try to get fresh, ripe fruit from a good supplier and you’ll notice the difference in quality immediately.

o   Enjoy good quality meat, fish or eggs with your main meal during the day and include dairy (when possible) to ensure your calcium intake is sufficient.

o   Finally top it off with a little (a little) sweet thing. Having a weekly treat can be very rewarding. If however you find yourself on a mars bar a day then it’s time to cut back. Putting that in Irish terms a single mars bar has the equivalent calorific value of 3.5 glasses of wine... Snacks like curly whirlys and dark chocolate can still give you the sugar hit without the massive amount of calories to boot.

·    Try to cut back on white bread and very starchy foods

o   White bread causes a rapid spike in the body’s blood sugar levels as it’s digested, once that peak has subsided the blood sugar levels fall rapidly creating that sluggish feeling (3pm slump...) and often is the reason behind the craving for sweet/sugary foods.

·         Make sure you are properly hydrated

o   Drinking enough water is one of the best pieces of advice that I can give you.  A loss in hydration can account for loss of concentration, headaches and fatigue.  The recommendations vary depending on weight, activity and health but usually for women the recommendation is approx 2 Litres and for men 3 Litres per day.  If you aren’t used to drinking this amount build it up gradually. You may be irritated by the increased urination but as your body adjusts to the fluid intake this will pass.

·         If you don’t eat a particular food/food group make sure you replace the lost nutrients

o   If you are a vegetarian or vegan then you are probably aware of getting nutrients such as iron and calcium elsewhere in your diet, however for those of us who don’t eat fish, veg, carbohydrates or pulses then you need to think about replacing the missing pieces with other foods.  More info on this to follow.

Try to vary your diet to incorporate new foods, new vegetables, fruit and different herbs and spices. Cooking with fatty foods can make food flavoursome but using interesting herbs and spices to add flavour is a great way to keep food tasting great but without all the added calories.

Overall try to enjoy your food. Healthy eating isn’t a chore – fresh fruit, vegetables, meats, fish and dairy are available in varying levels of quality from the newsagents, to the supermarket, the green grocer and the country markets. Eat the best food that you can afford and you won’t regret it. The quality of the ingredients is so important when it comes to enjoying the end result – your health.

New year - new year's resolutions!

I hope you all enjoyed the festive season and are ready for a great new year.

If like me you ate too much, drank too much and didn’t get out of the house enough then I’m sure you’ll be glad to get back in to normality again (snow clouds permitting...)

Everyone is chatting about New Year’s resolutions - a way to try to better ourselves in the coming year or as Oscar Wilde put it – men simply drawing checks on a bank where they have no account.

Every year millions of people resolve to (in order of popularity) lose weight, get fit, drink less, quit smoking, get out of debt and change job.

Figures vary as to how many succeed but general belief is that if you can make it through the first 21 days you’re home free.  One of the most common traits of those who succeed is realistic goal setting and monitoring.  How can you succeed if the goal posts keep changing?

·         This is one of the few times where corporate lingo might actually help you in your private life – Make your goals SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time bound – yep you’ve heard that one!)

By setting yourself achievable targets with your weight loss, exercise regime or finances, achievable over a realistic period of time you may actually get somewhere. There’s also a huge sense of satisfaction monitoring your progress along the way and knowing how much you’ve achieved as you work towards your end goal.

·         Another way to keep yourself motivated is to buddy up with a friend. Your goals can be totally different but you should agree them with yourselves and each other and keep checking along the way.  This is great if you’re in any way competitive J

·         If you’re a little disillusioned with resolutions then a nice alternative is to make note of the kind of things that you want out of 2011 and review every few months, make changes if necessary. It’s not exactly the same as making time bound promises to yourself and the world but merely reminds you want direction you’d like your life to go in this year.

Wishing you a happy and healthy 2011!

Deirdre

Work Life Balance