Winner - Campaign for Learning Impact Award for Supporting Business and Organisational Goals
The MCF’s and RMBICC’s commitment to improving employee wellbeing, reducing mental health-related absences and creating an inclusive atmosphere for remote workers was central to their success during Learning at Work Week. By facilitating targeted and accessible activities, the organisation aimed to promote continuous learning and cultivate a culture of openness around mental health.
Objectives
The organisation’s primary business goal during Learning at Work Week was to address the rising absence rates due to mental health issues, which had become more prominent since the pandemic. Recognising a pressing need to raise awareness of the mental health support available to all employees - both at the office and remotely - they aimed to ensure employees knew that help was available not only during crises but at all times.
To support this, three key objectives were established:
- Increase engagement with health benefits, encouraging staff to access available mental health support.
- Ensure remote workers had equal opportunities to participate, alleviating isolation and demonstrating inclusivity.
- Foster open conversations about mental health to reduce stigma and sickness absence.
Learning at Work Week activities
Each themed day during Learning at Work week was packed with activities designed to be inclusive and informative, reinforcing the message that mental health is a shared responsibility and that support is always available.
- Let's get moving: chair yoga, walking toolkit and vitality webinar.
- Reducing stress: e-learning course, stress management training and signposting guide.
- Festival of learning: Tai Chi, mindfulness painting, smoothie bikes and health kiosks encouraged healthy habits and social interaction.
- Wear it green day: quiz, competition and mental health awareness badge.
- Social connections: coffee morning and check in with a friend or colleague.
Promotion and engagement
Both Charities came together and employed a comprehensive promotional strategy to engage employees before and during Learning at Work Week. Through newsletters, office posters and mentions in senior management meetings, employees were kept well-informed about upcoming events. The pre-released timetable with themed days ensured staff could plan their participation, while competitions encouraged further involvement.
To measure the success of Learning at Work Week, the organisation tracked participation in events and monitored engagement with self-directed activities through competition entries. They compared participation rates with previous years, noting an increase due to the theming and focused nature of the week. Regular feedback from staff was gathered both during and after the event, highlighting the positive impact and providing insights for future planning.
Outcomes
For employees, Learning at Work Week resulted in an increased confidence in discussing mental health and a greater understanding of health benefits, leading to improved wellbeing. Remote workers were included to reduce feelings of isolation, build strong social connections and make everyone aware of available training resources.
For the organisation, the benefits included more open conversations about mental health, as well as an increased use of health benefits, indicating that employees were more actively managing their health. This is expected to lead to lower sickness absence rates.
Through a strategic focus on mental health, inclusivity, and proactive support, The Charities successfully aligned their Learning at Work Week activities with their business goals. Their comprehensive approach has led to a more engaged and motivated workforce who understand they are cared for as individuals, which lays the foundation for improved performance and retention.