Better management is the key to tackling workplace stress and unlocking healthy, productive workplaces. Senior and executive leaders can set the tone for improving management and leadership practices across the whole organisation.
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In summary, in their large-scale health and wellbeing at work survey, published in April 2019, the CIPD have found that the role of line managers is critical, showing that organisations that are best at tackling stress have a wellbeing strategy AND have line managers who have bought into the importance of wellbeing. And remember that line managers are all managers who lead staff, at all levels in an organisation, including sergeants, superintendents, and chief officers, as well as police staff equivalent roles.
However, CIPD also found that only around 40% of organisations have a wellbeing strategy in place and most organisations “…are relying on line managers to look after the well-being of the workforce, without giving them adequate support to do so.”
The survey found that managers play a major role in health and wellbeing, but they don't get the support they need.
The CIPD consider that the best solution is an holistic health and wellbeing strategy that is championed by leaders and embedded throughout the organisation.
It’s clear that high-quality, positive people management policies and practices need to be in place, and line managers need the appropriate training and support in order to implement them in the most successful way.
Rachel Suff, senior policy adviser at the CIPD who led on the research, says, "it’s critical that line managers understand the benefits for them of managing staff wellbeing …when their team’s happy, healthy and engaged in their work, they’re more likely to meet their goals and contribute to the team’s success.”