From the Ground Up – Building a Culture of Well-being in Facilities Management

You know, when we think about the heroes of facilities management , our minds often conjure up images of these tireless professionals juggling tasks and ensuring everything runs smoothly. But behind the efficiency and the hard hats, there’s an aspect of their lives that doesn’t always get the headline it deserves: wellbeing.

During Men’s Health Week, this topic gets the spotlight, but let’s be real—wellbeing isn’t just a once-a-year kind of focus; it’s about the day-in, day-out grind that can take its toll if we aren’t careful. So let’s chat about how companies, especially within the facilities management industry, can roll up their sleeves and build a culture that champions the wellbeing of every last team member.

Imagine walking into a workplace every day where you feel supported not just as a professional, but as a person—where your physical, mental, and emotional health are top priorities. Sounds refreshing, doesn’t it?

It All Starts With Wellbeing

Remember, the foundation of a thriving company is a thriving workforce. We’ve seen the difference it makes firsthand. There was once a Facilities Manager, let’s call him Dave, was always “on,” always the last to leave and the first to arrive. But despite his superhero work ethic, his team could see the fatigue setting in. It wasn’t until leadership stepped up, recognising that Dave’s wellbeing was crucial, that things started to change—for the better.

They introduced things like flexible working hours and initiated regular check-ins not just about work, but about life and health too. The transformation? Remarkable. Dave is not just a happier man; he’s proof positive of how fostering wellbeing can revitalise a team.

So, let’s dive in, shall we? Together, we’ll explore what it takes to embed a culture of wellbeing into the very bricks of your business. And who knows? By the end,  we might just have you stepping back and thinking, “It’s time we took wellbeing up a notch around here”

Understanding the Status Quo in Facilities Management

Deep down, we all know that facilities management can have its fair share of silent battles. It’s an arena where physical tasks meet tight deadlines, and our teams—especially the gents—might shrug off niggling health issues because, well, “it’s just part of the job.” But ignoring these things? It’s like ignoring a dripping tap and then being surprised when you’ve got a minor flood in the kitchen.

The Physical Health Pillar

Let’s kick things off by tackling physical health. Not long ago, one of our team met a chap named Simon on a job site. He’s the kind of guy who thought that grimacing through back pain was the norm. When the company began prioritising ergonomic assessments and offering on-site physio sessions, Simon’s life changed. He wasn’t just working; he was working with far less pain. It’s these small shifts, like supporting proper lifting techniques and maybe even having a bit of friendly competition with pedometer challenges, that can create ripples of positive change in the physical well-being of our teams.

The Mental Health Pillar

Next up, mental health. we’ll tell you about Bob. He’s been in the game for years but hit a rough patch where everything seemed grim. This is where normalising the conversation about mental health can break down walls. Bob’s company introduced “toolbox talks,” but not about power tools—about mental resilience. They thoroughly trained up managers in mental health first aid, offering confidential conversations when needed. This made it okay for Bob to say, “I’m not doing alright” without feeling like he’s less of a professional.

The Emotional Health Pillar

Moving swiftly on to emotional well-being, we’ve got to cultivate an environment where everyone feels valuable and understood. It’s one thing to manage buildings and quite another to manage hearts, isn’t it? After work get-togethers, acknowledging personal milestones and having a good old vent session can do wonders. It’s about creating those everyday interactions that say, “We’re more than just colleagues; we’re mates looking out for one another.”

Creating a Supportive Environment

We remember seeing a Facilities Manager named Julie who went above and beyond. She’d walk the building with an open-door policy that literally meant her door was always open. It was this kind of approachability from leadership that made her team feel like their wellbeing was taken seriously. We need that across the board—leaders who walk the talk.

Health Education and Resources

Knowledge is power, or so they say. Setting up lunch-and-learn sessions or having a library of easy-to-digest info on hand can empower people to make informed choices about their health. We once heard about a session on nutrition that turned into a mini MasterChef competition among the staff. Who knew learning about Omega-3s could be such a laugh and so tasty?

Encouraging Work-Life Balance

Now, let’s spare a moment for the elusive work-life balance. Once knew a guy, Raj, who was burning the candle at both ends. When his company trialed a shift-swap scheme, it allowed him to attend his daughter’s school plays and be the family man he longed to be, all while managing his team effectively. Flexibility isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a game-changer for wellbeing and you should see a dramatic change in your team!

Measuring Success

You can’t manage what you don’t measure, they say. Holding regular pulse checks on team wellbeing, checking in on those sick leave stats, and setting aside time for honest feedback can help. It’ll show you whether these well-meaning initiatives are sticking or if they’re just pretty wallpaper that’s peeling at the corners.

Closing Thoughts

Building a culture of wellbeing in facilities management is akin to conducting a grand orchestra; every section plays a crucial part. And it’s not a one-off concert; this is an ongoing gig where the tunes of well-being need to be practiced and played consistently.

Facilities management is the backbone of any operation. When we look after that backbone, ensuring that physical, mental, and emotional health are tuned up nicely, the whole body works better. And while we’re tuning up, let’s turn the volume up for Men’s Health Week and keep it playing all year long.

If you enjoyed this blog, you may also find Tackling Stress in Facilities Management an interesting read.

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