Dr Pablo Vandenabeele, Clinical Director for Mental Health at Bupa said: “ESG commitments really can have an impact on employee mental health, so it’s important that businesses take note. A high salary for work that feels meaningless can only satisfy one for so long, whereas feeling like we’re contributing to the greater good and making a difference has a positive effect on our self-esteem. It can even reduce feelings of burnout, something that many people are struggling with after a tough couple of years.”
Sally Pain, Chief Sustainability Officer at Bupa said: “The pandemic has underscored the inextricable link between healthy people, a healthy planet, and business performance. And for Gen Z, workplace wellbeing is now a critical part of the ESG agenda.
“As skills shortages bite across many sectors and businesses face a challenging year ahead, it’s easy to think that social and environmental commitments are optional. Our research shows that they are quickly becoming critical to success. For companies who want to build and nurture future leaders for their business, investing in strong targets that connect with their employees’ personal values is vital.”
Supporting employers
Bupa’s workplace wellbeing experts have issued a five-point guide for employers who want to support their employees’ wellbeing as part of their ESG goals.
Encourage habits that improve people and planet wellbeing
Support employees to make choices that are better for their wellbeing and the planet, e.g. reducing work travel, supporting greener options for active travel into work, moving to electric vehicles for company cars and providing healthier food in the office canteen that also has a lower carbon footprint. You could also encourage engagement by offering “eco-challenges” at work, e.g. a walk/run/cycle to work challenge. You can find more ideas through Bupa’s free to access sustainability hub, including articles and podcasts exploring how to make environmentally friendly behaviour changes that last.
Facilitate action
Encourage employees to engage with ESG activities at work, offering volunteering days and involvement in company or community sustainability initiatives. Communicate what the business is doing to meet its ESG goals and how employee contributions are having an impact.
Seek employee input
Employees will feel more engaged if they can help shape their company’s ESG actions. Establish employee networks and community groups for people to take part in.
Manage eco-anxiety
Thinking about sustainability can be overwhelming, and eco-anxiety is on the rise and a natural response to what is happening to our planet. Help employees to manage anxiety through supporting a good work-life balance. Encourage them to work within their working hours, spend time away from their desks and take regular breaks, whether they’re in the office or working from home. Spending time outside and getting close to nature has been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Lead from the top
A culture of ESG starts from the top. Ensure senior management have clear ESG objectives and encourage them to share what they are doing, both at work and at home to be more sustainable.
