Movember: Supporting men’s health and wellbeing in the workplace
November marks Movember, the annual campaign that puts men’s health firmly in the spotlight.
While the moustaches and fundraising challenges may be the most visible part of the campaign, Movember is about much more than growing facial hair. It aims to encourage conversations and action around some of the key health issues affecting men, including mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer.
For employers, Movember provides an opportunity to start meaningful conversations about men’s health in the workplace and consider how employee wellbeing initiatives can better support the needs of their teams.
Why is men’s health important in the workplace?
Work is a significant part of everyday life, which means employers have an important role to play in creating environments where people feel comfortable talking about their health and accessing support.
However, conversations around men’s physical and mental health are not always easy.
Some employees may be reluctant to talk about how they are feeling, ask for support or discuss symptoms with a manager or colleague. Creating a workplace culture where health and wellbeing can be discussed openly can help remove some of these barriers.
Movember encourages people to talk, connect and take action. These are all important principles for a healthy workplace culture.
What does Movember focus on?
Movember’s work focuses on three key areas of men’s health:
Men’s mental health and suicide prevention
Mental health is an important part of workplace wellbeing.
Encouraging employees to talk about how they are feeling, building awareness of mental health and making sure people know where to find support can all contribute to a more supportive working environment.
Movember’s workplace campaign encourages teams to use the month as an opportunity to start conversations around men’s mental health and wellbeing.
For employers, this could be an opportunity to review existing mental health support and consider whether managers feel confident having supportive conversations with their teams.
Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK. Risk increases with age, and certain groups can have a higher risk, including Black men and those with a family history of prostate cancer.
Symptoms can include changes to urination, blood in urine or difficulties with erections, although prostate cancer does not always cause symptoms in its early stages. Anyone concerned about symptoms should speak to their GP.
Workplaces can help by encouraging health awareness and reminding employees that seeking medical advice when something does not feel right is important.
Testicular cancer
Testicular cancer can affect anyone with testicles and is most common in younger men. Symptoms can include a lump or swelling, a change in the size or shape of a testicle, or an ache or discomfort.
Raising awareness can encourage employees to pay attention to changes in their health and seek medical advice when necessary.
How can employers support men’s health at work?
Supporting men’s health does not have to mean introducing an entirely new workplace wellbeing programme.
There are simple ways organisations can use Movember to build health and wellbeing into everyday working life.
- Start conversations
Use Movember as a reason to talk about men’s health.
A workplace wellbeing webinar, team discussion or awareness session can provide an opportunity to introduce subjects that employees may not otherwise feel comfortable discussing.
- Make mental health support visible
Make sure employees know what support is available to them.
This could include Employee Assistance Programmes, Mental Health First Aiders, occupational health services or external support organisations.
Managers should also understand how to signpost employees towards appropriate support when someone is struggling.
- Encourage healthy habits
Movember can be a great opportunity to encourage employees to think about their wider health.
Workplace initiatives could include physical activity challenges, nutritional webinars, wellbeing workshops or opportunities for employees to take time away from their desks.
Small, regular interventions can help make wellbeing part of everyday working life.
- Bring people together
Workplace fundraising can provide a positive way for teams to connect while supporting a good cause.
Movember encourages workplace teams to fundraise together, with activities designed to create connection, friendly competition and conversations around men’s health.
Whether your team grows moustaches, takes part in a movement challenge, organises an event or simply starts a conversation, there are plenty of ways to get involved.
Men’s health should not stop with Movember
While November provides a useful focus, supporting men’s health should be part of a wider employee wellbeing strategy throughout the year.
Mental health, physical health, nutrition, sleep, stress management and preventative health all contribute to overall wellbeing.
Creating regular opportunities for employees to focus on their health can help build a workplace culture where wellbeing is part of the conversation rather than something people only think about when there is a problem.
How Hands On At Work can support men’s wellbeing
At Hands On At Work, we provide flexible workplace wellbeing services designed to support employees and complement existing wellbeing strategies.
Our services can help organisations use Movember as a starting point for wider conversations around health and wellbeing.
These include:
Men’s Health Webinars
Our educational wellbeing webinars can help employees understand more about men’s health and the lifestyle factors that can influence physical and mental wellbeing.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Workshops
Workshops can provide practical information around stress, resilience and mental wellbeing, while creating opportunities for employees to think about their own health.
Workplace Massage
On site workplace massage gives employees an opportunity to step away from their working day, relax and recharge.
It can be incorporated into a wider wellbeing day, employee engagement programme or Movember initiative.
Nutrition and Healthy Lifestyle Sessions
Nutrition and lifestyle webinars can provide employees with practical information to help them make informed choices around food, hydration and healthy habits.
Make men’s health part of the conversation
Movember is a reminder that looking after men’s health starts with conversation, awareness and action.
For employers, it is an opportunity to create space for those conversations and make sure employees know that support is available.
You do not need to wait until November to start.
A healthier workplace begins with making wellbeing part of everyday working life.
At Hands On At Work, we can help you create engaging workplace wellbeing initiatives that support your people throughout the year.
Looking to support men’s health in your workplace?
Get in touch with Tina or Chantall from Hands On At Work to discuss our workplace wellbeing services: info@handsonatwork.co.uk
