Health and Wellbeing in the Workplace
2014
Research to define best practice in streets engagement for Camden Council
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Poplar HARCA commissioned Shortwork to explore health and wellbeing among its Estate Services workforce. The project aimed to understand frontline workers’ experiences of HARCA’s existing health benefits and to identify practical ways to reduce barriers to participation and enhance wellbeing at work.
Our Approach
Shortwork used the Participatory Appraisal (PA) approach, valuing staff as experts in their own lives and involving them directly in identifying challenges and solutions. Between June 2014 and July 2014, eight sessions were held across the estate, including management, horticulture, and frontline teams, with 105 staff participating.
Sessions were structured to capture:
Scores for health and wellbeing (out of 10)
Positive and negative aspects of work and health support
Ideas for improving wellbeing and access to benefits
Confidentiality and anonymity were central to the process, ensuring honest contributions without fear of attribution.
Key Findings
Leading Healthy Lives & HARCA Initiatives
Positives: Health checks, gym membership, team away days, supportive management, improved H&S procedures.
Barriers: Low awareness of benefits, complex forms, literacy challenges, economic pressures, location of gyms, and upfront costs for reimbursements.
Staff suggestions included: clearer information on benefits, assistance with form filling, on-site dentist and chiropody visits, fruit boxes, better quality boots, improved washing facilities, and women’s changing rooms.
Wellbeing in the Work Context
Positive factors: London Living Wage, praise from managers, supportive team culture, flexible scheduling, recognition of achievements, and access to training.
Negative factors: Perceived low status of estate staff, lack of career progression, inconsistent recognition, work-related stress, exposure to environmental hazards (dog mess, ASB, drugs), and poor communication with management or residents.
Staff recommendations included: transparent career paths, accredited training, regular one-to-ones, team recognition at events, clearer communication about policies (e.g., Facebook), better IT/mobile access, and consistency in patch allocation.
Impacts
HARCA is addressing the feedback through:
Briefings on Health Shield and assistance with form-filling
Investigating on-site dental and chiropody support
Improvements to working conditions (boots, washing facilities, female changing rooms)
Enhanced communication strategies via mobile messaging, leaflets, and IT support
Training more first aiders and clarifying policies
Adjusting away day formats to improve inclusivity and recognition of Estate Services teams
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