
In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, investing in employee training is no longer just a nice-to-have; it's a strategic imperative for organisations that want to stay competitive and promote sustainable development. The benefits of employee training cut across various aspects of a business, from improving operational efficiency to enhancing corporate reputation and fostering a culture of innovation.
Health and Wellbeing
According to the Royal College of Nursing it can take an average 7.5 years to be diagnosed with Endometriosis and for many women, especially if they are under the age of 45, it can take several years to have their symptoms of perimenopause taken seriously. A study by Met-life surveyed 355 women in the UK and found that 2 out of 3 women felt too uncomfortable talking about symptoms relating to perimenopause & menopause with their manager. Â
When it comes to Mental Health Awareness, the conventional wisdom has been that training was associated with numerous business benefits: Reducing Stigma, Promoting Early Intervention, Improving Workplace Well-being, Enhancing Productivity, and Reducing Absenteeism and Presenteeism. That said, the latest HSE stats on annual work-related ill health would suggest it hasn’t been enough. Of the 1.8 million workers who reported they were suffering from work-related ill health in 2022/23, approximately half of the cases were down to stress, depression, or anxiety. And these figures are still significantly up on the pre covid period.
Last year Deloitte’s published the results from its second Well-Being at Work Survey; it’s well worth a read. It states that ‘84% of respondents say that improving their wellbeing is a top priority this year, and 74 percent say it’s more important than advancing their career. But 80 percent are facing obstacles—and most of these obstacles centre around work. In fact, a heavy workload, stressful job, and long work hours topped the list of obstacles people say are getting in the way of improving their wellbeing, with nearly 74 percent saying they struggle to take time off or disconnect from work.’Â
It implies that work and wellbeing still aren't working well together, and in addition to training we’ll need to address issues around work culture and environment.
One of the most significant advantages of training staff is the potential to reduce time to diagnosis and increase productivity for health-related concerns. When employees are educated about the signs and symptoms, they are better equipped to self-advocate and seek medical treatment sooner, ultimately leading to reduced absenteeism and presenteeism.
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Empowerment
According to the CIPD "A people manager will typically be the first point of contact if someone needs to discuss their health concerns or needs a change to their work or working hours. It’s therefore essential that a people manager is knowledgeable about the organisation’s framework for managing people with a health condition, including someone experiencing menopausal transition, and understands their role within that."
Training creates a supportive and open environment, encouraging honest conversations about health issues. This not only allows employees to feel more comfortable discussing their concerns but also enables managers to offer reasonable adjustments and support, preventing bigger issues from escalating.
Technology
In addition to health-related training, upskilling employees in areas such as technology, data interpretation, and creative problem-solving is crucial for organisations to stay ahead of the curve. As artificial intelligence (AI) and automation transform the workforce, training allows employees to take on more interesting and value-adding tasks, fuelling innovation and maintaining a competitive edge.
The team need to feel comfortable with technology, whether it be a sophisticated CRM system or collaborative software, it is essential that a workforce is technologically savvy.
We need to provide younger team members with the skills they require for the jobs of the future as well as upskilling our workforces to thrive in this new marketplace.
Technology has improved the way we can train a workforce via e-learning platforms and webinars, it has never been easier, or more cost effective, to train your staff.
Human Face of Business
Beyond the immediate workplace benefits, training staff on topics like hormone health and menopause contributes to the "human face of business," recognising that employees have personal lives and families, who are also impacted by these issues. By addressing such matters, organisations demonstrate a commitment to overall well-being, fostering a positive ripple effect that extends beyond the workplace.
To Sum Up
Employee training aligns with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education), underscoring its social value. It enhances corporate reputation, ensures compliance and risk management, and fosters a culture of continuous improvement and problem-solving.
Perhaps most importantly, investing in employee training demonstrates a commitment to their development and well-being, leading to increased job satisfaction, morale, and retention rates. Engaged employees are more likely to stay with the organisation, reducing turnover costs and preserving institutional knowledge and expertise.
The value of training employees extends far beyond just imparting knowledge. It is a strategic investment that yields dividends in productivity, innovation, reputation, and employee engagement, while simultaneously contributing to sustainable development goals and societal well-being. In today's rapidly changing business environment, organisations that prioritise employee training will not only thrive but also drive positive change within their communities and the broader society.
We can assist you with your training needs, why not get in touch?
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