Three ways healthcare organisations can better support staff wellbeing

Make no mistake, the healthcare sector is facing a wellbeing crisis.

Burnout among workers has reached alarming levels, with soaring workloads, staff shortages and relentless pressure being at the heart of the issue.

Additionally, while the pandemic is long over, it’s reported that burnout and stress from that period are still hindering the industry.  

“You have moments when you’re human and feel overwhelmed. My way of coping is to take a deep breath, and if I have a chance, go for a 30-second break outside, come back in, then smile again,” says Cielito Canejo, Specialist Respiratory Practitioner.  

What can be done to address this problem?

In this blog, I’ll detail three ways healthcare organisations can improve wellbeing and support those working tirelessly on the frontlines.

1) Help managers help staff

Now, take a moment and think of the best and most rewarding job you’ve had. 

The likelihood is that you had a brilliant manager actively supporting you. 

Good managers often equal happy workers!

However, workforce expectations have changed drastically in recent years, and many management styles have had to drastically adapt to meet these new demands – not an easy task.

As such, organisations may be full of great leaders, but their methods won’t always align with these changing workplace expectations; workers now place more value on flexibility, autonomy, development, wellbeing and culture, and management styles in 2025 must reflect this.

What can be done? Upskilling!

Existing managers, struggling to adapt their leadership styles, may benefit from training on how to meet the demands of modern employees.

From empowering staff with learning & development (L&D) opportunities to supporting hybrid workers, there are plenty of skills which weren’t required to the same extent five years ago. 

Additionally, diversity and inclusion training ensures leaders can foster an equitable workplace that values all employees.

Regular seminars on communication techniques, conflict resolution and leveraging technology for remote teams can also further support managers in navigating the complexities of modern work environments.

2) Spotlight mental health resources

While the stigma around mental health in the workplace has reduced in recent years, more can be done to help encourage employees to seek support when needed.  

Consider launching awareness campaigns to educate staff about the mental health resources and support available to them; this can include posters, newsletters or digital communications that highlight the help on offer.

Useful wellbeing services you should look to offer include workshops on stress management, mindfulness and building resilience. 

Some organisations also provide mental health days as part of their leave policies, allowing staff to take time to recharge.

Top tip: encouraging leaders and managers to openly discuss mental health and share their own experiences also helps foster a culture where employees feel safe seeking help.   

3) Adapt to varying generational demands

The workforce’s generational dynamic is becoming increasingly diverse.

As such, creating an environment that meets everyone’s needs is tough.  

For example, a large portion of Gen Z rank stress as a primary reason for quitting their job, while Millennials are more likely to stay in a job if they feel it has meaning.  

You can’t rely on a one-size-fits-all approach – each person will have their own motivations.  

An employee who has just become a new parent will have drastically different needs from those of a fresh graduate looking to kickstart their career.  

Find out what people want and use that information to create an accommodating culture.  

Not sure how to get this information? Employee surveys offer a great way for you to quickly obtain a view of how your workforce is feeling.

Also, ensuring managers have regular catch-ups with their direct reports is another effective way to gather meaningful feedback.

Work with your people, listen to them and use these insights to tailor your offering.

Avoid wellbeing-washing

Wellbeing-washing refers to companies offering the bare minimum of staff support to simply say they have ‘something’ on offer.

A training course on stress won’t help if staff spend all day screaming at each other. 

Staff wellbeing must be more than a tick-box exercise!

The way you operate strongly dictates your culture and work environment.

Ultimately, it can be as simple as “be nice and professional to people”, and that supports everything else.  

The top three HR challenges impacting healthcare organisations 

Staff wellbeing isn’t the only challenge impacting those in healthcare! 

Our recent guide covers the top three HR challenges impacting healthcare organisations, offering tangible advice and tips. 

Download the FREE guide here and discover practical solutions and insights to help you tackle these HR challenges head-on.