FACTS — WELLBEING CAN FLUCTUATE OVER TIME
“Wellbeing can fluctuate over time.”
An employee’s wellbeing is not fixed. Someone who usually manages their workload confidently and independently may experience periods when their capacity changes and they need additional support.
This does not necessarily mean they are no longer capable of doing their job. It may mean that the demands they are managing have temporarily become greater than the resources available to them.
What can affect wellbeing?
Changes in wellbeing can be influenced by many different factors, including:
- Increased workload or tighter deadlines
- Organisational restructuring or uncertainty
- Changes in management or responsibilities
- Conflict or difficulties within the workplace
- Physical or mental health difficulties
- Disability or fluctuating health conditions
- Caring responsibilities
- Bereavement or relationship difficulties
- Financial pressures
- Poor sleep or prolonged fatigue
- Stress outside the workplace
- Major life changes
Often, several pressures can occur at the same time.
Changes may not always be obvious
An employee may continue arriving at work, meeting deadlines and appearing to cope while using significantly more physical or emotional energy to do so.
Early changes might include increased tiredness, difficulty concentrating, irritability, withdrawal, reduced confidence, forgetfulness, becoming overwhelmed more easily or needing longer to complete familiar tasks.
Support may need to change too
Support that was appropriate six months ago may not necessarily meet someone’s needs today.
Regular, supportive conversations give employees an opportunity to discuss what is helping, what has changed and whether temporary or longer-term adjustments may be useful.
This could include flexible working, altered deadlines, temporary workload changes, additional breaks, clearer priorities, quieter working arrangements or more regular check-ins.
Capacity can change without ability disappearing
A particularly important message for managers is:
A change in someone’s capacity does not automatically mean a change in their underlying ability.
Sometimes an employee needs the demands around them adjusted so they can continue using their skills effectively.
Workplace wellbeing should be an ongoing conversation
Rather than waiting until somebody reaches crisis point, workplaces can create opportunities for employees to discuss changes earlier.
A useful question can simply be:
“Has anything changed that would make your work more manageable right now?”
Responding early, listening without judgement and reviewing support when circumstances change can help employees remain engaged, valued and supported at work.
Space to Breathe Therapy
