In recent years more and more attention has been focused on the health and welfare of employees within companies of all sizes yet it is only very recently that businesses have began to address the mental health issues faced by staff.

The CBI (Confederation of British Industry) held a survey in which it was reported that nine out ten employees believed that the companies they worked for should be concerned about the mental health of their staff. Yet, less than one in ten of companies have an adequate mental health policy.

Of course, many people spend a large amount of their time at work so it makes good business sense to make sure that mental health issues are not ignored. Because of the stressful nature of work the mental and psychological well being of staff should be equally important as all other aspects of health and safety at work. In fact it should most probably be the factor of most concern within a companies health and safety regimen.

The good news is that more companies are now becoming aware of mental health issues within the workforce and actively encourage management and staff to attend training courses designed to being stress under control in the workplace.

These kinds of mental health training courses are invaluable on two levels; firstly it enables staff to be more aware of the stress they are feeling and provides them with tips and techniques to control those feelings and, secondly, it equips staff to recognise signs of stress in their co-workers.

The value of these kind of courses should not be under-estimated as failing to address the problems of stress in the workplace could lead to reduced effectiveness from the staff and a general decline in productivity. Initially it can result in staff taking more time off and can lead to issues amongst the workforce. Sending staff on a mental health training course will provide solutions for those already feeling the pressures of stress but will also be a pre-emptive safeguard to other employees who will learn how to identify the symptoms of stress and be able to take measures to ensure that stress doesn?t develop.

Possibly the single biggest advantage in sending staff and management teams to a mental health training course is that they will gain a valuable insight into understanding stress and how it is caused. This knowledge will help staff at all levels of the company to perform better and to be aware of the importance of monitoring their own and their colleagues levels of stress.

Health promotion in the workplace benefits not only the company, but the employee as well. Additionally, there is a distinct trickle-down effect as the benefits are transferred from employee to family members. Health promotion in the workplace creates conditions that support and teach the best possible health for the employee. This gives employees a sense of ownership and they learn to work together to form a coordinated action to improve well being. Areas such as health promotion, heart health, nutrition, fitness, recreation, tobacco and alcohol awareness and workplace safety are all areas where health promotion in the workplace is very effective. Implementing such a program gives employees a feeling of being more than just a number. It brings the humanity of companies back to the corporate forefront.

Wellness programs are generally more focused on prevention which facilitates a proactive approach to healthcare. This, in turn, leads to an overall decrease in health care costs. Disease management, health education and health maintenance are all crucial in creating a solid wellness foundation within an organization. There is strong evidence to support the effectiveness of health promotion in the workplace and concur that these types of interventions make a significant difference within the organizational structure. Companies that implement wellness programs for their employees encourage healthy lifestyles for not only employees, but their families as well.

Mental health programs as a part of health promotion in the workplace have been shown to significantly reduce depression in employees. Additionally, companies employing this strategy also enjoy reduced suicide rates and reduced behavioral problems among employees. Mental health programs and stress management classes have also resulted in less domestic aggression and a more positive environment for employees. On a social level, there are fewer learning problems, a significant reduction in child abuse as well as spousal abuse.

Companies that address health and safety issues of employees regarding their work environment do experience a decrease in on the job injuries and fewer worker’s compensation claims. Occupational health and safety also helps to decrease the number of deaths and disabilities in the workplace. Time loss injuries are also substantially decreased when workers are adequately trained and these types of workplace health and wellness safety programs are implemented.

Wellness programs and general health promotion in the workplace show employees that the organization recognizes that both the employer and the employee share some extent of responsibility for the employee’s health. It shows the employee that their health is of importance to the organization. And it should be important. Healthier employees mean fewer absences and a lower turnover rate.

In short, the benefits of health promotion in the workplace are many. The greatest benefit, however, is in the human aspect of the organization. When the people are taken care of, the company’s bottom line remains intact. With reduced absenteeism and health care costs, organizations should seriously consider wellness programs as a viable, effective method for reducing employee related expenses and strengthening their personnel relations within the company. Health promotion in the workplace can cut costs and yield productivity increases, but it is not a cure-all. Businesses must also consider job design, organizational systems, human resource management practices and workplace culture. All these must be conducive to a productive, healthy workplace.

Businesses interested in learning more about the benefits of health promotion in the workplace will find a plethora of information on the World Wide Web. Resources like Wellness Proposals and Welcoa both offer valuable insight about the benefits of health promotion and wellness programs.