13 November 2023
We are all aware that the end of October brings about a change in time. When the clocks go back this can be a difficult transition for many people and can result in some mental health worries, lack of good quality sleep and for some, the ‘winter blues’. Our body clocks need to adapt to lighter mornings and darker afternoons, which many not immediately adjust to the new time. Generally this can affect a number of physical, mental and behavioural changes that follow the 24-hour cycle.
As a result of the clocks changing, you may notice changes in your team’s behaviour and habits – some positive and some negative. This year has seen workplace absences soar to the highest level in a decade and therefore, it’s ever more important to offer a supportive environment for anyone struggling with mental ill health during the darker winter months.
Having an employee assistance programme (EAP), flexible working options and other helpful resources to signpost, will be critical to keeping employee absenteeism to a minimum in a proactive way. In addition to this, HR software that tracks sickness details, will help provide a retrospective insight to the impact on your Company as well as highlighting where individuals may be struggling.
Keeping an eye on sickness alone will not reduce the number of working days lost. Organisations need to act by looking at implementing a wellbeing strategy, educate employees on mental ill health, consider providing Company medical insurance with EAP options, set up training for line managers to boost confidence with wellbeing discussions, and other interventions which the team at Hive HR Solutions are on hand to help with.