Top Tips for Creating a Mentally Healthy Workplace

Top Tips for Creating a Mentally Healthy Workplace

 

Did you know that 1 in 6 people experience mental health problems in the workplace? And that the Office of National Statistics reports that at least 12.7% of all sickness absence in the UK is due to factors around mental health? We look at the benefits of promoting and supporting mental wellbeing in the workplace, and give you some hints and tips about small changes you can make to see an immediate impact.

Mental Health in the Workplace

According to the World Health Organisation, ‘without effective support, mental disorders and other mental health conditions can affect a person’s confidence and identity at work, capacity to work productively, absences and the ease with which to retain or gain work’. Although being employed and going to work can be a protective factor for mental health, working conditions and workload can also contribute to impaired mental health.

Under Section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974), employers have a duty of care to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all their employees and this includes employees’ mental health. Additionally, studies have consistently shown that workplaces that support mental health and wellbeing are more likely to benefit from increased productivity, less sickness absence, increased workforce loyalty and increased staff retention.

So, what can you do to help promote a positive attitude to mental health in your organisation and help your team to increase their mental wellbeing? Let’s take a look.

 

Creating a Mentally Healthy Workplace

 

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1. Promote a positive work culture

The culture of your workplace and the environment your provide for your team to work in can have a significant impact on employee wellbeing, in turn affecting mental health. A transparent, supportive and positive work culture with effective leaders demonstrates to employees that managers care about them and their wellbeing, and want to lead by example. Communicating with your team, making them feel included, and letting them know about the long term goals of the organisation helps employees to feel supported and valued.

Providing frequent, clear communications about important topics helps to keep the channels of communication open. Raising awareness about important issues and promoting equality, diversity and inclusion can all help your team to feel recognised and respected. Employees who feel able to be their authentic selves in the workplace report lowered feelings of stress and increased productivity.

Managers who advocate for mental health and model best practice to their teams can make a big difference.  Make sure you have clear policies and guidance around important topics and promote employee wellbeing at every opportunity. Employees who feel cared about will often have increased self-esteem and this can help build mental resilience.

 

2. Reduce stigma

Know the facts. Use reputable sources to educate yourself about mental wellbeing and the issues surrounding mental health at work and make sure you pass your knowledge on to your supervisors, employees and team as a whole. Educate others.Be conscious of the language you use – use proper terminology and respond to negative comments or misperceptions with positive reinforcement.

Address mental health stigma in the workplace by promoting a culture of acceptance and understanding. Showing compassion can help employees feel more comfortable seeking help and support if and when they need it and less fearful of judgement. Implementing a mental health policy, encouraging open conversations and taking action to increase awareness around mental health can all help to reduce stigma.

 

3. Provide training, education and resources

Providing training and education to employees about mental health, stress management, and wellbeing helps raise awareness, reduces stigma and works towards creating a mentally healthy workplace. Training can include include workshops, seminars, and online training courses.

Mental Health Awareness training is essential for all organisations, it helps you to understand the different factors that can affect your mental health and gives you knowledge and support for dealing with mental health issues should they arise. Mental health awareness training helps you to recognise the early signs and warnings of mental illness, and gives you the confidence to support those who need it. Providing training to your whole team can be a conversation starter, and it also helps build coping strategies and resilience, reduces stigma, and reinforces a positive workplace culture.

 

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4. Recognise achievements

Recognise employees’ achievements and provide feedback when they do a good job. This helps them feel valued and appreciated which can build self-esteem and mental wellbeing. Recognition lets employees know that their company appreciates and values them and the contributions they make. Recognising teams as well as individuals can build a sense of community and belonging which is great for supporting mental positivity and resilience. If your organisation is expanding or evolving – or downsizing or making changes – recognising individual and team achievements helps employees to feel valued and secure and demonstrates how significant they are to the company. Establishing a sense of confidence in employees also promotes and inspires high standards of work and company loyalty.

 

5. Set realistic goals

Ensure that workloads are reasonable and set achievable goals. This can help employees feel a sense of accomplishment and reduce stress. Setting and achieving goals is important for confidence and self-esteem. If an employee regularly feels like they’re not meeting or achieving their goals, this can be demoralising and demotivating. Feelings of failure and inadequacy can impact mental health and wellbeing, so making sure the goals you set for your team are realistic and achievable is a really important aspect of supporting mentally healthy workplaces and avoiding employee overwhelm.

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 6. Provide employee assistance programmes

According to BUPA, Employee assistance programmes (EAPs) are an employee benefit that can provide support and practical advice on issues that may be impacting their wellbeing and performance. Confidential and professional support is given to employees who are dealing with personal or work-related issues with the aim of increasing staff wellbeing and productivity, and reducing absences. These type of programmes often include access to face-to-face, telephone and online counselling and experts on hand to support your employees. Offering these types of benefits can help your team to feel supported and valued and often knowing that your employer offers this benefit can make them feel valued and supported, increasing wellbeing through your team as a whole.

 

7. Offer flexible working arrangements

Since the Covid pandemic which saw many people working from home, flexible working arrangements have become one of the most sought after employee benefits.

For employees who are struggling with mental health issues or trying to manage anxiety, depression or stress, working flexibly (remote work, flexible schedules, or job sharing) can help them to manage their work-life balance, reduce stress levels, and improve mental health.

Research shows that most employees want flexibility in their working location and schedule. Many employees prefer fully remote positions that offer the freedom to work from any location and where this isn’t possible, hybrid arrangements that enable employees to work from home a few days per week are favoured. For jobs that cannot be performed remotely, offering flexible work hours, such as non-traditional work hours or compressed workweeks, is the next best alternative. Consider the structure of your team and their working arrangements – it may be easier to make small and simple changes than you realise.

 

8. Encourage physical activity and healthy habits

Encouraging physical activity and healthy habits can have a positive impact on mental wellbeing. This can be achieved by promoting regular breaks, providing healthy food options in staff canteens, and offering gym memberships or discounts on leisurewear or fitness classes. Although not all organisations have the budget to promote these lifestyle incentives, think about what you can do. Is there a small outside area where staff can be encouraged to take a break and stretch their legs? Could you promote walking schemes or groups or even start one of your own? Do your always order lunch in from a fast food outlet? Helping to incentivise healthy eating and promoting the benefits for a healthy mind is a great change you can easily make.

 

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9. Encourage social connections

Social connections are important for mental wellbeing. Creating opportunities for your team to socialise can help build a collaborative workforce, increase resilience and self confidence, and support mental health. This is especially important if you have employees who work from home or in hybrid roles. Human beings are social creatures and human interaction is an important part of mental wellbeing.

Encouraging team-building activities such as team lunches, dinners or coffee breaks can help your team get to know each other in a social situation. Could you start a book club or film club? What about going bowling or on a cinema trip? Encouraging your team to socialise can have a significant impact on mental wellbeing –  if employees feel that they have people who care about them at work this can promote self esteem and reduce levels of stress and anxiety.

Allow employees the option to opt-out – not everyone feels comfortable socialising with their workmates and if they feel pressured to join in, this can have a negative impact on wellbeing which goes against the purpose of the activity.

 

10. Promote a work-life balance

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Individuals who have a good work-life balance usually report lowered stress levels and increased feelings of positivity and commitment. This in turn leads to lower levels of absenteeism, more productivity and better staff retention. Mental health and wellbeing is improved in those who feel they have a good work-life balance.

As a manager, focus on employee productivity rather than the number of hours they’ve worked.Encourage employees to take breaks, set reasonable deadlines, and prioritise self-care. This can help reduce stress and prevent burnout.

 

In summary, there are lots of steps we can all take to try to increase employee wellbeing and promote good mental health. Creating a supportive and positive work environment that prioritises mental wellbeing can have significant benefits for both employees and the organisation and with a few tweaks it can be easier to achieve than you think!

For further information and resources to support your team, take a look at our wellbeing suite of courses. We cover everything from Mental Health Awareness to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Drug and Alcohol Awareness, Stress Awareness and Menopause.

 

Mental Health Awareness Week: Self-Care and Exercise

Mental Health Awareness Week: Self-Care and Exercise

 

It’s Mental Health Awareness Week this week (May 13th – May 19th).

In the same way we monitor our physical wellbeing with regular checks (e.g. weight, cholesterol, eye tests etc), we should be equally aware of our mental health.

Did you know that there is a direct correlation between physical and mental health and that movement is important for your mental health?

Mental health affects how we think, feel and act. Self-care and protecting our mental health can help us cultivate resilience, cope with life’s challenges, and enjoy healthier relationships. We can lower stress, increase energy and lower our risk of illness simply by paying attention to our mental wellbeing. Movement can help support and improve our mental health. Additionally, looking after our mental health can prevent more serious health conditions developing later in life and also promotes long-term happiness and fulfilment. Embracing mental health as a lifelong commitment empowers us to lead richer and more meaningful lives.

This article explains the indicators and warning signs of possible mental illness and takes an in-depth look at the ways you can support your own mental health and includes the benefits of movement, sleep and many other factors.

If you’d like more resources or support in promoting the benefits of mental health awareness to your employees, take a look at our Mental Health Awareness online training course. Developed with mental health specialists, it delivers all the information you need to support and care for mental health, both at work and at home and it is packed full of hints, tips, strategies and practical solutions that focus on improving and maintaining good mental health and building resilience.

 

Indicators and Warning Signs of Possible Mental Illness

All humans are different. The way we each experience life, the way we handle challenges and our thoughts, moods and behaviours are all influenced by multiple factors (some genetic, some to do with individual life experiences). While it’s important not to generalise or diagnose ourselves or others, there are some important changes to look out for that could indicate possible mental illness. These span across every aspect of day to day life and include behavioural changes, emotional changes, bodily changes and psychological changes. Before we can fully explore the different ways to prioritise self-care and support and improve our health, let’s take a look at some of the changes you may notice in yourself or those around you that could be early indicators of mental illness.

 

Behavioural Changes

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Behavioural changes that may indicate possible mental illness include (but are not limited to):

  • Snapping and sniping more than usual without reasons why
  • Being tearful or angry
  • Hyper-vigilance
  • Avoidance
  • Reduced engagement and enjoyment of activities
  • Withdrawing from physical contact and affection
  • Unhealthy lifestyle habits
  • Neglecting physical appearance

There are many other reasons why someone may experience some or all of these behavioural changes but they can often be an indicator of mental illness when accompanied by some or all of the following emotional changes.

Emotional Changes

  • Feeling more frequently irritated
  • Feeling fearful or agitated
  • Feeling demoralised and unmotivated
  • Feeling exhausted with or without sleep
  • Feeling emotionally numb

We can also experience emotional changes for many other reasons including perimenopause and menopause, bereavement, stress at work or from the effects of drugs or alcohol. It’s important to speak to a Doctor if you’re regularly experiencing emotional changes without suspecting the underlying cause.

Changes in your Body

Mental health is inherently linked with physical health and although this list is by no means exhaustive, some changes to be aware of can include:

  • Muscle tension
  • Increased breathing rate (hyperventilating)
  • Increased blood pressure
  • Unexplained physical aches and pains
  • Unpleasant feeling in your chest or stomach that won’t go away
  • Perspiration
  • Digestive changes
  • Sleep difficulties – can’t get to sleep / sudden waking
  • Lack of libido
  • New medical conditions – e.g. skin problems, unexplained hair loss etc

(Please seek medical advice if any of these changes are concerning you and always dial 999 if you’re experiencing chest pain or difficulty breathing.)

Psychological Changes

Some changes may include:

  • An increased focus on the negative and irrational
  • Increased worry
  • Physical hypervigilance (disproportionate awareness of a potential threat) and obsessive thought patterns e.g. fixating on body temperature, heart rate and any physical symptoms.
  • External hypervigilance and catastrophising (expecting the worst possible outcome)

As with the other possible symptoms of mental illness, these changes can also be experienced for many other reasons. Always contact your GP or a Mental Health professional (see Resources) if you’re worried about yourself or someone you know.

 

Looking After our Mental Health – How to Self-Care

Just as we can exercise, sleep, and eat well to maintain and improve our physical health and wellbeing, there are things we can do to help our mental health too.

Body

There are lots of steps we can take to look after our which will also help to protect our mental health.

Exercise

Physical movement is great for your mind as well as your body and there is a well-established link between exercise and good mental health. Exercise reduces the levels of the body’s stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, and stimulates the production of natural ‘feel good’ endorphins in the brain. Movement can help us sleep better, reduce anxiety and also increase self-esteem. Longer term, movement can help reduce depression and anxiety as well as reducing your risk of longer term cognitive decline such as dementia.

Even moderate exercise such as a daily 30-minute walk can have a positive impact on your physical health and wellbeing. And if you’re short on time, even a 10 minute burst of exercise has been shown to increase mental alertness, positive mood and energy levels.

And if you can’t get outside for any reason how about trying a walking workout from YouTube or putting on your favourite music and dancing around the living room. For people with reduced mobility there are numerous chair-based exercises available online and even your children and teens can join in with dance-based video games!

The beauty of physical movement is that is available to everyone. The right amount of exercise will vary by age and ability, and it should be something you enjoy doing.

The Mental Health Foundation has put together some information on getting started with movement and has some great hints and tips and points to consider before starting. They report that moving your body can promote the following positive outcomes which can all boost mental health:

  • less tension, stress, and mental fatigue
  • a natural energy boost
  • a sense of achievement
  • more focus and motivation
  • feeling less angry or frustrated
  • having fun
  • an opportunity to connect with others

 

The next (and often the most overlooked) way of self-caring is to practice good sleep hygiene.

Sleep

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Good sleep is an important aspect of mental health and leads to increased energy, better memory, sharper concentration and allows you to manage stress better.

Try to maintain a good sleeping and waking pattern and make your bedroom sleep friendly. Experts recommend a temperature of around 18 degrees and a dark room if possible as this encourages the brain to associate the bedroom with sleep.

Spending time outside regulates your circadian rhythm, helping your body to produce more melatonin which also aids sleep.

Try to wind down towards bedtime – avoid caffeine and screen time before bed and maybe take a warm bath or do some gentle stretching. Preparing the body and brain for bedtime can help with better quality and quantity of sleep.

 

Nutrients, vitamins, and minerals

Eating a well-balanced diet with plenty of vegetables and gut-friendly nutrients is associated with feelings of well-being. The food you eat fuels your body and a healthy body can help maintain a healthy mind. There are lots of resources online to support healthy eating, the NHS Eatwell Guide is a great place to start.

 

Mind

Increased or persistent worry can be both a symptom and a cause of mental health issues. Here are some tips to help you manage worry:

Stay in the present

Learning to focus your attention on the present can be helpful. We often spend a lot of time thinking about actions we’ve taken and often wishing we had done things differently. We can also spend time fretting or worrying about the future. A key skill in maintaining your mental health is to remain in the present moment, this is one of the underpinning principles of mindfulness.

Write it down

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Keeping a diary or journal and writing things down is often seen to be of benefit to support mental health. Writing about what is happening and how you are feeling can help you to gain a sense of perspective. Sometimes people like to pretend to write a letter to someone that they don’t intend to send, whatever works for you, give it a try!

Mentor modelling

Think about what your hero would do! When you are anxious or worried, think about someone you admire. What would they feel, think, and do in this situation?

Assume nothing

Nobody is a mind reader. When you think you know what someone is thinking, try to remember this fact. It’s helpful to remember that what other people think of you is up to them and that the only person whose opinion really matters is your own.

Acceptance

Sometimes life will bring problems and difficulties. Accepting that this is the way of the world and that not everything is under our control can sometimes be helpful. An often-used phrase is ‘it is what it is’, and although it might not feel as easy as just dismissing worries, reducing the impact they have can be helpful. Limit the time you spend worrying, maybe just allow yourself a certain amount of time each day to think about your worry and then leave it behind.

Look at past events

Consider how things turned out with similar events in the past – what can you learn from this? If previous events went well what’s particularly worrying you on this occasion? What would you do differently? Remembering the bad times you’ve successfully got through can help you find the strength of spirit to tackle your current worries.

Monitor your self-talk

Using positive self-talk can create a supportive internal environment, challenging negative or overwhelming thoughts can help you to gain a sense of perspective and come to more positive conclusions.

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Spirit

Mindfulness and relaxation

Mindfulness is a way of paying attention to the present moment, using techniques such as meditation, breathwork and yoga. It helps us become more aware of our thoughts and feelings, so that instead of becoming overwhelmed by them, we’re better able to manage them.

While research is still growing around mindfulness, evidence has suggested it has many benefits to health and wellbeing, and may also help your relationships with others as well as in the management of mental health issues such as stress, depression, and anxiety.

Breathwork

Deep breathing is one of the best ways of lowering stress in the body. There are several different breathing techniques that you can try. One example is square breathing:

Square breathing is a powerful stress reliever and involves taking slow, deep breaths. Do this exercise while seated and breathe deeply into the diaphragm.

The technique is as follows:

  1. Begin by slowly exhaling all of your air out
  2. Then, gently inhale through your nose to a count of three
  3. Hold at the top of the breath for a count of three
  4. Then gently exhale though your mouth for a count of three
  5. At the bottom of the breath, pause and hold for the count of three

As you improve, you can extend the timings to four seconds, then 5 seconds etc. Picture each line of an imaginary square being drawn in your mind as you inhale and count and then exhale and count.

Support network

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 They say ‘no man is an island’ and this is very true about human beings who tend to be social creatures, benefiting from support and advice from those around them. Studies have shown that those who are isolated or feel lonely are at greater risk of experiencing mental health problems. Building a support network of different people who can provide both practical and emotional support during difficult times is an important element of wellbeing. In fact, psychologists often refer to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs which lists a sense of belonging in the five-tier model of human needs. This emphasises just how important it is.

Your support network can consist of family, friends, colleagues, neighbours and acquaintances, support groups, social media groups and your local community. Different people can offer different types of support so the more people you have in your network, the more opportunities you have for friendship and feeling a sense of belonging.

Talking therapies

Talking therapy i(also referred to as counselling or psychological therapy) s for anyone who’s having a difficult time or has emotional problems they need help with. According to the NHS, ‘for many adults talking therapy can be as effective as medicine’. Sometimes it can be easier to talk to a stranger than to your friends or family and they will listen without judgement and give you the time and space you need to talk. To find out more about the different types of talking therapy and how it could benefit you, take a look at the NHS Website or the Counselling Directory.

 Work/life balance

For many people, the distinction between work and home has become blurred over recent years. More people now work from home or in a hybrid role and technological advances can mean we are more ‘available’ to customers both in and out of the office. Although this can have its advantages, it can also make it difficult to fully switch off and maintain the right balance between working to live and living to work.

 

Tips for Maintaining a Work/Life Balance:

Set manageable goals – prioritise essential tasks, write a ‘to do’ list, take care of important tasks and eliminate unessential ones.

Be efficient with your time – make sure that when you are working, you’re being productive and avoid procrastinating.

Ask for flexibility if you need it – research shows that employees who work flexible schedules that allow them to balance all areas of their life are more productive and loyal to their employers.

Take regular breaks – Small breaks at work – or on any project – will help you to clear your head, stop you feeling overwhelmed and therefore improve your ability to deal with stress and make good balanced decisions.

Communicate – be honest with colleagues or your boss. If you feel ‘stuck’, overwhelmed, or unable to cope, get help. Clarity, direction, and support will help you to manage and complete tasks which in turn will give you a sense of achievement and accomplishment.

Be kind to yourself – allow yourself to be human and just do the best you can

End your working day on time – wherever possible, end your working day at the end of the working day! Allow yourself time to switch off and step away.

 

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If you’re working at home or in hybrid role:

Unplug your devices – recognise the need for personal time outside of your working hours, make sure you have some time every day where your work devices are turned off and you can focus on your home life.

Don’t over commit – you cannot be all things to everyone, all the time. If you’re over-scheduled with activities, learn to say ‘no’.

Be supported – contact with friends and family can be important to your wellbeing and can even improve your health.

Stay active – regular exercise can reduce stress, depression and anxiety and enable you to better cope with adversity.

Look after your health – being in good physical shape can increase your tolerance to stress and improve your immune system. Eat well, exercise and make sure you get enough rest.

Prioritise your own wellbeing – allow yourself some ‘me time’. We all have busy lives and work, family and home commitments can soon overwhelm us. Make sure you allow yourself some time to prioritise your own wellbeing.

 

Links and Resources

For training courses that can benefit individuals and workplace teams, take a look at Mental Health Awareness Online Training, Stress Awareness Training or our range of other Health and Wellbeing courses including our popular Menopause Awareness Training. If you think you need a more bespoke solution, tailored specifically to your team, we’re experts in this too. You can also try any of our courses for free just by getting in touch at either hello@real-sense.com or talking to us directly on 01332 208500.

For more information about prioritising self-care and supporting mental health, or if you need additional advice and support, the following resources can help.

NHS Mental Health Services

Samaritans

Mind

Counselling Directory

Calm

For training courses that can benefit individuals and workplace teams, take a look at Mental Health Awareness Online Training, Stress Awareness Training or our range of other Health and Wellbeing courses including our popular Menopause Awareness Training.

 

How Can LGBTQIA+ Awareness Training Strengthen My Workforce?

How Can LGBTQIA+ Awareness Training Strengthen My Workforce?

February is LGBTQIA+ History Month – an annual celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and non-binary history, including the history of LGBTQIA+ rights and related civil rights movements. The event is intended to raise awareness of, and combat prejudice against, LGBTQIA+ people and history.

In the United Kingdom LGBTQIA+ History Month is celebrated in February each year, to coincide with the 2003 abolition of Section 28.  However, whilst progress is being made towards a more inclusive society, many people across the LGBTQIA+ community still face discrimination, exclusion and barriers to work. While supporting awareness celebrations is a great starting point and begins conversations, employers should incorporate them into their ongoing workplace trajectory towards creating inclusivity and supporting diversity.

 

LGBTQIA+ Workplace statistics – Inequality for Workers

LGBTQIA+ is an inclusive umbrella term that is often used to refer to the community as a whole. The UK census showed that over 1.5 million people identify as LGBTQIA+ in England and Wales and a 2023 survey by global leader in market research Ipsos of over 22,000 people across 30 countries indicated that the LGBTQIA+ population now averages 9%.

Whilst some progress towards an inclusive society is being made, a significant number of LGBTQIA+ people still face discrimination, exclusion and barriers at work. The Rainbow Britain report by Stonewall has found that:

  • More than 1 in 3 LGBTQIA+ workers have hidden or disguised their sexuality for fear of discrimination.
  • 40% of trans people have experienced a hate crime or incident because of their gender identity
  • Two thirds of LGBTQIA+ people had experienced violence or abuse
  • Nearly 1 in 5 LGBTQ+ people said they were discriminated against because of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity while trying to get a job

The Equality Act (2010) legally protects people from discrimination in the workplace and in wider society. This means that everyone, of any sexual orientation is protected from discrimination. Despite this, 1 in 8 lesbian, gay and bisexual people, and 1 in 5 transgender people say they wouldn’t feel comfortable reporting homophobic, biphobic or transphobic bullying to their employer.

 

As an employer, what can you do to fully support inclusivity and promote diversity in the workplace?

 

LGBTQ+ Awareness Training

The first step you can take towards promoting inclusivity in the workplace is to recognise where your organisation is currently and where you want to be. Many employers understand the law and legislation around LGBTQIA+ rights and recognise that The Equality Act (2010) states that “nobody can be discriminated against because of their sexual orientation”. And while the act is a starting point in highlighting unlawful behaviour, it stops short of breaking down all the barriers to equality in the workplace.

Knowing and understanding the law is not enough, employers need to:

  • invest in their people
  • engage with allyship programmes
  • create support programmes
  • use strong inclusive language in communications
  • create LGBTQIA+ networks
  • ensure benefits are LGBTQIA+ inclusive
  • establish senior/board support
  • celebrate your successes
  • train your staff

LGBTQIA+ Awareness Online Training

Organisations that offer LGBTQIA+ Awareness training in the workplace alongside other Equality, Diversity and Inclusion courses immediately demonstrate their commitment to building an open and accepting workplace.

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Making sure that all your staff have access to the relevant information needed to create a fully inclusive workplace helps you create an environment that is free from prejudice. It’s important to remember, that while culture change and demonstrating inclusivity needs to start at the top of the organisation, all employees need to be involved and informed, so awareness training is for everyone.

Our industry leading course gives you an understanding of some of the issues facing the LGBTQIA+ community in the UK today and explains how to support diversity to create a positive and inclusive environment. It explores key LGBTQIA+ terminology, LGBTQIA+ history, rights, and law and focuses on the experiences of the LGBTQIA+ community, particularly at work.

You’ll learn about sexual orientation and gender identity, and the impact of discrimination and prejudice at work. The course helps support and promote workplace inclusion and explains how to play your part in becoming an ally to the LGBTQIA+ people around you.

Learning about the challenges faces by the LGBTQIA+ community increases empathy and understanding and helps eradicate discrimination. Raising awareness of what it means to show support and become an ally is a really important step towards inclusivity.

An LGBTQIA+ ally is someone who supports and advocates for the rights, equality and wellbeing of individuals within the LGBTQIA+ community. They may not personally identify as LGBTQIA+ but stand in solidarity with the community, actively working to promote inclusivity, acceptance and understanding. Awareness training helps you to learn about allyship, amongst many other things.

Becoming an ally is an ongoing process that requires continuous learning, active listening, and a commitment to support the LGBTQIA+ community. But remember, even small actions can make a significant different in creating a more inclusive and accepting world for all individuals.

 

The benefits of an LGBTQIA+ inclusive workplace environment

Teaching your staff how to reduce stigmatism within the workplace and making sure everyone is happy, comfortable and thriving in their working environment is essential. Much research has also shown multiple benefits of creating a more inclusive organisation. These include:

  • increased productivity and job satisfaction
  • improved creativity
  • improved employee engagement
  • reduced employee turnover
  • improved company reputation
  • improved cultural insights
  • increased profits
  • the potential to improve the customer service experience and reach out to new clients and audiences.

 

If you’d like to know more about changing workplace culture, promoting inclusivity and implementing LGBTQIA+ Awareness online training or find out about any of of our other HR and employment courses then please get in touch. We’re contactable via our website or in person on 01332 208500 and are always happy to share our own experiences of an evolving workplace culture.

Perhaps you need support with implementing your existing policies and procedures into a training or induction course, or want help updating your existing training – a number of the companies we work with have also implemented bespoke training packages and we’re more than happy to talk to you about these too.

If you already know what you need, our ready-to-go courses can be purchased online so you can be up and running immediately, ready to train your staff within minutes.