In recent years, there has been an escalating concern regarding workplace wellbeing. Employees are experiencing elevated levels of stress, burnout, and deteriorating mental health. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these challenges, leading experts to describe it as a ‘wellbeing crisis’ in many organisations. In this article, we unpack the top four ways that coaching can help to support employees’ mental health and overall wellbeing.
The State of Workplace Wellbeing
According to a recent survey conducted by Gartner, overall employee wellness has experienced a decline, with financial, physical, and mental wellness reaching their lowest points in more than two years. In Australia, employees reported that their financial and physical wellness are at an all-time low (22.5% and 25.3% respectively). This decline in wellbeing is a cause for concern as it can lead to decreased productivity, increased absenteeism, and higher turnover rates.
The Role of Coaching in Supporting Employee Wellbeing
Coaching provides employees with personalised support tailored to their specific needs and challenges. A coach can help individuals identify sources of stress, develop coping strategies, and set achievable goals to improve their overall wellbeing. By working closely with a coach, employees can gain insights into their own patterns of thinking and behaviour, enabling them to make positive changes. Some areas in which coaching can powerfully benefit employee wellbeing include:
1. Emotional Resilience
Coaching equips employees with the tools and techniques to build emotional resilience, which is crucial in managing stress and maintaining mental wellbeing. Coaches can help individuals develop self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and effective stress management skills, enabling them to navigate workplace challenges more effectively.
2. Goal Setting and Accountability
Through coaching, employees can set realistic goals related to their careers, relationships, wellbeing and work-life balance. Coaches provide ongoing support and hold individuals accountable for taking the necessary actions to achieve these goals. This accountability fosters a sense of commitment and motivation, helping individuals prioritise their wellbeing amidst their professional responsibilities.
3. Career Development and Work-Life Integration
Coaching can also address the broader aspects of an employee’s life. By exploring individual aspirations, values, and strengths, coaches can help employees align their personal and professional goals, leading to a greater sense of fulfilment and satisfaction.
4. Building Positive Habits and Mindset
Coaching helps individuals develop positive habits and mindset that contribute to their overall wellbeing. Coaches can assist employees in adopting practices such as mindfulness, self-care, and work-life balance, helping them to maintain a healthier lifestyle and manage stress more effectively.
External Digital Support: A Solution for Businesses of Any Size
As McKinsey & Company explains, "Large employers could work with a solutions provider to tailor content to their needs; smaller employers could allocate wellbeing budgets for individual employees to spend on their preferred form of support." This approach highlights the role of external digital coaching providers as a solution for transforming workplace wellbeing. By partnering with such a provider, large employers can leverage tailored content, individual and team coaching that addresses their specific needs and challenges, ensuring it resonates with employees.
Simultaneously, smaller employers can empower their employees by allocating dedicated wellbeing budgets, allowing individuals to choose and invest in the support that best aligns with their preferences. This flexibility enables organisations of all sizes to embrace personalised digital support, creating a culture that prioritises employee mental health and overall wellbeing.
From Stress to Success: Tackling the Employee Wellbeing Crisis
The wellbeing crisis in workplaces demands immediate attention and action. Employers have a responsibility to prioritise employee wellbeing and provide support systems to address these challenges. Coaching offers a valuable solution by providing personalised support, fostering emotional resilience, and helping individuals set and achieve meaningful goals. By investing in coaching programs, organisations can create a culture of wellbeing that not only benefits employees, but the overall success of the business.
Ready to support the wellbeing of your team? Book a demo now to find out how Hello Coach can help!
