Being well in a changing world

October 1, 2024

In today’s rapidly changing world, the wellbeing of employees has never been more important. This joint research project, by British Safety Council and the Institute of Occupational Medicine, titled “Being Well in a Changing World,” delves into the current practices that employers are implementing to support (or improve) the wellbeing of their workforce. This comprehensive study highlights the importance of a shared approach to supporting worker wellbeing amidst the social, political, and economic changes that the future, inevitably, holds.

The world is changing at an unprecedented pace, and these changes can often seem overwhelming for both employers and employees. From the return of war in Europe and armed conflict in the Middle East to the global pandemic that claimed millions of lives, the challenges are immense. In the UK, health outcomes now lag behind similar developed nations, compounded by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Economic growth has been largely stagnant, and levels of economic inactivity continue to rise.

Key Findings

The research identified several key findings:

• Lack of agreed definition: There is no universally accepted definition of wellbeing, leading to inconsistencies in research and practice.
• Measurement challenges: The absence of a standardised metric for measuring wellbeing complicates the assessment and comparison of wellbeing across different organisations and sectors.
• Diverse perspectives: Wellbeing priorities differ among various demographics and subgroups, highlighting the need for a more inclusive and targeted approach.
• Impact of change: Rapid technological, environmental, and social changes will define the next century, leading to uncertainty and anxiety for employers and employees alike.
• Policy and practice gaps: There is a disconnect between academic wellbeing research and its practical application, necessitating further research and integration.

Principal Recommendations

The report makes 5 principal recommendations to ensure that worker wellbeing is better supported. These are:

• Create and adopt standardised metrics for assessing wellbeing
• Align workplace wellbeing offerings with wider occupational health and safety strategies
• Foster an industry wide culture that encourages organisations to learn from each other
• Ground wellbeing strategies in a holistic approach to health, safety and wellbeing
• Ensure wellbeing strategies work at an organisation, person-by-person, and group level.

Both the IOM and British Safety Council are committed to creating healthier working environments and increasing the wellbeing of the workforce. Their advice and guidance can be found here and here.