Introducing The Watercooler, our workplace wellbeing series

Millions were forced to work from home during the pandemic (Joe Giddens/PA)

(Picture: PA Wire)

As the city returns to its former fast-paced glory and Londoners return to the office, workplace wellbeing and mental health are at the forefront of our minds.

Despite the purpose that millions of us find in our work, this week a study by Glassdoor revealed that talk of burnout has increased 128 per cent since April, while two-thirds of people say they feel the need for a better work-life balance. Meanwhile, work-related stress, depression and anxiety is rising, with an estimated 17.9 million working days last year lost for these reasons alone.

“With work-life balance being the number-one driving force when choosing an employer, overtaking salary for the first time in seven years, workplace wellbeing has never been more important,” says Bex Spiller, founder of The Anti-Burnout Club, which advises companies on wellbeing initiatives that work. It’s about so much more than meditation apps, she says. While Google teaches teams the Charleston, and Deloitte might drop off doughnuts on employees’ doorsteps, what’s really needed is a holistic approach — not just a stylish sticking plaster.

That’s why this paper is partnering with The Watercooler for an event on February 23 and 24: the largest expert-led celebration of workplace wellbeing in the UK with more than 120 speakers. Plus, we’ll be having our own little chat round the watercooler in this column about what will make a real difference. After all, what’s the point of benefits like a free gym if you’ve no time to use them? A happier workplace is more productive, and prevention is better than cure, so we’ll be exploring solutions that cover the foundations of wellness, from nutrition, sleep and fitness, to mental resilience and your working environment, as well as personal growth and finance. See you by “The Watercooler”.

The Watercooler will include 5,000 workplace wellbeing professionals, 120+ speakers and 120 hours of free learning. Contact francis@ watercoolerevent.com for commercial opportunities or register for free at watercoolerevent.com

(The Watercooler)