So today is apparently ‘Blue Monday’, labelled as the most depressing day of the year as a result of another equation created by some mad boffin combining different factors such as weather, debt and motivation.

To be fair, January isn’t the greatest month. Immediately after the over-indulgence of Christmas and New Year, January hits you like a stale Christmas Pud over the head. I never did like Christmas Pudding; nearly choked on a sixpence in the school canteen one year, but I’ll save that story for another day.

Yes, it’s dark arriving to work, and even darker leaving work, and the only real motivation you seem to have is the morning test of endurance of refusing to hit the Snooze button on your alarm, and even daytime TV seems alluring.

But Blue Mondays can also be used to highlight an increasing cause for concern within the workplace, by the statistic that one in five employees suffers from a mental illness.

So why not approach today with a positive mental attitude, and convince ourselves that it’s not Blue Monday, but is in fact a very vibrant and colourful Monday! Mondays are not all that bad surely?! It’s a brand new week full of endless possibilities! Bob Geldof doesn’t know what he’s missing out on! The sun is currently out in force, and despite it being painfully cold, if you’re in a warm office looking out, it can be extremely convincing.

And there’s the small fact that Swansea are still currently basking in the glory of having beaten Arsenal 3-2 for the first time in three decades…

Employers can take an active approach in the wellbeing of their employees, especially as the amount of workers affected by work-related stress has increased significantly over the last ten years. To ignore is no longer an option. Work related stress affects productivity of employees, and completely halts it if it results in the employee going on long term sickness absence.

Here are some things for an employer to keep in mind for a happy and healthy workforce:

1. One to ones with staff to enquire if you can do anything to help them be happier in their working environment;
2. Make sure that you’re not overworking your employees;
3. Monitor sickness absence effectively and consistently;
4. Introduce incentives / bonuses into the workplace;
5. Praise your staff – this in turn will give both the employee and you the ‘feel good factor’;
6. And if all else fails, take in some cakes. (although it’s best to stay away from the Christmas Pudding).

If you require any advice with regards to improving staff morale or handling sickness absence, please contact me, Luke on 01792 525 400 or luke.welsh@jcpsolicitors.co.uk.