Singapore develops workplace wellbeing benchmark

A groundbreaking initiative is underway to revolutionise workplace wellbeing in Singapore, emphasising the symbiotic relationship between employee happiness and business prosperity.

Spearheaded by local charity Workwell Leaders (WWL), this initiative seeks to establish a benchmark that will not only gauge the wellbeing of employees but also highlight its significant impact on productivity, attrition rates, and innovation within organisations.

Traditionally, many organisations have concentrated on employee programmes such as counselling, stress management, or yoga classes to bolster mental resilience in the workplace. However, WWL aims to delve deeper by scrutinising the effects of workplace behaviours, workload management, team collaboration, and fostering a sense of belonging among employees.

Anthea Ong, Chairwoman of WWL, revealed to The Straits Times that this benchmark, slated to be the first of its kind globally, will be pivotal in revolutionising workplace dynamics. She stressed the importance of assessing the ripple effect of wellbeing practices, extending from larger corporations to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The initiative has garnered support from a diverse consortium, including representatives from the government, academia, and industry. Notable members of the workgroup include international advisors on workplace health, Professor Niki Ellis and Dame Carol Black, along with experts in behavioural science and occupational health.

READ MORE: Employee mental wellbeing: A corporate growth strategy

The urgency of prioritising mental health in workplaces was underscored by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam. In an address, he emphasised the societal imperative of addressing mental health challenges, citing a study by Duke-NUS Medical School and the Institute of Mental Health that projected substantial economic costs attributed to mental health issues.

In alignment with national efforts, workplace mental health has been identified as a key focus area under the National Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy. This approach aims to mobilise society-wide support mechanisms for individuals grappling with mental stress.