A ‘potential timebomb’: industry leaders meet to discuss the state of wellbeing in kbb workplaces

Over the last two weeks, senior figures from across the kbb industry have joined to discuss the state of mental wellbeing in the workplace.

Representatives from the industry, including the BMA, the BiKBBI, Simon Acres Group and Logicom, attended a Virtual Roundtable hosted by Stress Matters, a workplace wellbeing organisation, to discuss how the issue of mental health in the workplace can be approached going forward.

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Attendees agreed that the industry has tended to see wellbeing as an area of interest but rarely an area of focus. Nonetheless, Gary Baker, CDUK MD and Chair of The Furniture and Interiors Education, Skills and Training Alliance (FIESTA) described the situation as a ‘potential timebomb’.

Education was cited as a good first step in changing the culture across the industry, and representatives called for collaboration across associations to raise awareness of the connection between profitability and employees.

Participants were clear that a more pro-active approach was needed by the industry as a whole and by individual organisations. Nathan Maclean, Logicom MD, said: ‘We need to be mindful that we are not fooling ourselves that we are doing all the right things. We need to do a reality check.’

Stress Matters are now looking to set-up a network of wellbeing ambassadors in the industry, provide practical support on health and safety documentation and work with industry to activate a support line. If you have insights to share or would like to find out more, please reach out to james@stressmatters.org.uk.