A recent AXA Health poll shows that ill health is now the top career threat for workers over 45 – ahead of economic uncertainty and even AI:
✅ 38.6% of employees aged 45+ see ill health as their biggest concern
✅ Stress and health anxiety are driving absences and productivity loss
✅ Employers need to shift from reactive healthcare to preventative wellbeing
But HR teams and leaders are already stretched themselves. Creating opportunities that will improve mental health in the workplace, such as offering flexible work, and embedding wellbeing into strategy takes time and focus.
By outsourcing operational and administrative tasks, Bay Tree can free up your leadership and HR teams to implement flexible work arrangements and prioritise mental health initiatives, building a culture of trust and engagement.
Whilst the threat of ill health is one thing, actual stress and anxiety in the workplace is another and can often lead to long term absence. Here are five ways in which Bay Tree can help you maintain a healthy and stress-free team and improve mental health in the workplace:
1. Reduce heavy workloads – the top cause of stress
According to research by the CIPD, 69% of employees suggest that heavy workloads have a negative impact on their mental health. Enlisting the services of Bay Tree to take on time-consuming tasks and share the burden so employees can focus on higher-value work, reduces pressure and improves job satisfaction. Not only that, with Bay Tree on board, your current systems and working practices can be reviewed and streamlined without adding more pressure to employees but improving their efficiency and effectiveness.
2. Create breathing space for strategic thinking
When employees are constantly firefighting, they have little time for creative or strategic work. Outsourcing specific tasks or projects to Bay Tree VA frees up mental bandwidth, allowing employees to prioritise, meet deadlines without burnout and engage in professional development. This shift can help prevent stress-related absence and improve overall productivity.
3. Improve work/life balance
This is a particularly important value for Bay Tree. We understand how stress often spills into personal life. By outsourcing tasks, employees can:
This directly supports mental health and wellbeing and our clients benefit from a safe pair of hands overseeing their inbox and managing operations. For example, at the time of writing, we have one client away in Australia for a month and Bay Tree are helping to hold the fort in their absence.
4. Signal employer commitment to wellbeing
Bringing in external support shows employees that the company is serious about reducing stress, not just talking about it. It demonstrates a proactive approach to workload management and investment in employee wellbeing, both of which can boost morale and retention.
5. A cost-effective alternative to hiring
The economic impact of stress-related absence can be significant. Outsourcing is often more cost-effective than recruiting additional staff, while still reducing pressure on existing employees. This helps to lower absenteeism costs and maintain productivity without inflating payroll.
Employers who are keen to help reduce workplace stress and improve the work/life balance for their employees should get in touch with Bay Tree at standingby@baytreeva.co.uk or sign up for regular updates from the team.
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