The Case for Workplace Mindfulness
There is a robust business case for introducing mindfulness within workplace settings.
Research studies have demonstrated wide-ranging benefits for leaders, managers, employees and organisations.
The practice gained endorsement from the UK government following an extensive review.
Spiritual Roots, Scientific Evidence: Government Endorsement
Although it draws on Eastern spiritual and religious practices, modern workplace mindfulness is a secular activity.
In order to enjoy the benefits of mindful practices we do not need to undertake many of the associated 'spiritual' elements. This is particularly relevant when we consider mindfulness as a development approach applied within the workplace.
The Benefits of Mindfulness for Organisations
There are many hundreds of studies into the impact of mindfulness within organisations. It has been demonstrated to deliver a wide range of benefits across areas including:
- Developing Leadership
- Organisational Change
- Employee Engagement
- Employee Performance
- Staff Wellbeing
At an individual level people who develop their mindfulness experience:
- Reductions in levels of stress, worry and emotional outbursts
- Improvements to emotional intelligence, empathy, communication, conflict management, gaining perspective, decision-making, creativity, problem solving, ability to 'switch off' after work and happiness
Positive Impact of WorkplaceMT
Case studies and assessments of WorkplaceMT clients have shown:
- 33% reduction in stress for participants of our public training couse
- 92% of participants reported improvements in how they managed strong feelings and emotions
- 85% of participants reported improved relationships with colleagues
- 100% of participants reported an improvement in their ability to focus at work
- 100% of participants reported increased ability to function under pressure
Impact of Mental Health on UK Organisations
Research conducted by organisations including MIND, CIPD, HSE and the Centre for Mental Health have found:
- Time off due to stress, anxiety and depression: 45% of all sickness absences
- Amount of people who feel 'stressed' or 'very stressed' at work: 41% of those surveyed
- The average cost of mental ill-health each year: £1,035 per employee
- The cost to the UK economy of mental ill-health at work: £26Bn
Starting in 2014 the UK government conducted a twelve month inquiry into mindfulness which resulted in the publication of a report ‘Mindful Nation UK’. Written by the Mindfulness All-Party Parliamentary Group (MAPPG), and published in October 2015 it supports the implementation of mindful initiatives in business and the public sector and provides a number of recommendations relating to implementing mindfulness within the UK.
The past few years have seen a steady increase in the number of companies applying mindful practices to their workplaces, benefitting both the organisations and the people working within them.
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