New guidance for the convenience sector to provide retailers with practical advice on how to support wellbeing for themselves and their colleagues has been launched by the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS).
The Wellbeing Guide has been developed in collaboration with the What Works Centre for Wellbeing (WWCW) to provide guidance for retailers of all sizes about practical steps to take on the shop floor to improve staff retention and customer service via a healthy, engaged workforce.
The guide looks at eight key areas of wellbeing, which are:
- working environment;
- relationships and connections;
- health;
- learning;
- work and life balance;
- personal and purpose;
- colleague voice;
- personal finance.
In addition to advice and practical steps that retailers can take in their business, the guide also includes case studies from across the sector and covers wellbeing for independent retailers as business owners themselves. Workplace wellbeing is best understood as how people can grow and flourish in the business.
ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “Convenience stores operate at the heart of our communities, offering local, flexible and secure jobs to hundreds and thousands of people across the UK. Now more than ever it is vital that we turn our attention to the wellbeing of our staff to ensure that convenience stores are positive places for colleagues to work and for customers to visit.
“We’re encouraging retailers to take a proactive approach to workplace wellbeing and we have developed this guidance to provide our sector with actionable steps that can be implemented within stores to support staff and maintain a happy, healthy and productive workforce. From the examples used in the guide, and the results of our colleague survey, we know that our members are getting a great deal right in promoting wellbeing. This guide pulls together that good practice and aims to spread it throughout the sector.”
Steve Barnes, GroceryAid chief executive, said: “At GroceryAid, we have seen a huge increase in demand for emotional and wellbeing support. This guidance for independent retailers on how to support their colleagues could not come at a more crucial time. Checking in with colleagues, and knowing where to signpost them for help, is the best way to support them through one of the most challenging times the sector has ever experienced. The GroceryAid free, confidential Helpline is available 24/7 to all working in independent retailers and their spouses/partners.”
Nancy Hey, executive director of the What Works Centre for Wellbeing, said: “The quality of our job matters for our wellbeing, so maximising the conditions that help us thrive in the workplace is really important. We are pleased to have contributed our evidence on what works to improve workplace wellbeing to this excellent guide. We hope it will support local store owners who have a vital role in serving their communities, never more so than over the last 18 months as they have also had to adapt to make sure that they can continue to do this while keeping their colleagues and customers safe.”
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