In today’s challenging and ever-changing workplace landscape, ensuring that employees are not just surviving but thriving at work is more important than ever. This is especially true for social sector organisations, where mission-driven work often demands high levels of dedication and resilience. By focusing on fostering a thriving workforce, you can unlock transformative benefits that ripple across your operation, stakeholders, and the communities you work with or within.
Here, we explore the positive impacts of prioritising your people and cultivating an environment where employees can truly thrive.
Enhanced Employee Wellbeing
At the heart of a thriving workforce is the wellbeing of your people. When employees feel supported—both mentally and physically—they are more likely to experience job satisfaction and personal fulfilment. Practical steps such as offering flexible working arrangements, mental health support, and access to development opportunities signal that an organisation values its workforce. This can foster a culture of trust and respect, contributing to lower stress levels and improved overall morale.
Impact: The IPPR reported in 2024 that employees in the UK now lose on average 6.7 days sick leave per year, up from 3.7 days in 2018. In addition, they also lose the equivalent of 44 days’ productivity through presenteeism, working whilst sick. Happier, healthier employees are more engaged and productive, reducing absenteeism and presenteeism while boosting workplace harmony.
Increased Retention and Attraction of Talent
For social sector employers, retaining skilled staff and attracting new talent can be a challenge. A focus on creating a thriving workplace can make all the difference. Employees who feel valued and supported are far less likely to seek opportunities elsewhere. Furthermore, an organisation with a reputation for prioritising employee welfare becomes a magnet for top talent, even in a competitive job market.
Impact: The CIPD’s Resource and Talent Planning Report 2024 indicates that the average recruitment costs for the not-for-profit sector range from £600 to £1,800, but this excludes costs for management time, reduced productivity during recruitment, selection, onboarding and probation etc. Focusing on your people can help to reduce recruitment costs, ensure continuity in mission delivery, and facilitate a succession plan of future leaders.
Boosted Organisational Performance
Thriving employees are not only more engaged but also more innovative and solutions focused. When your workforce is empowered to bring their best selves to work, their motivation and productivity soar. For social sector organisations, this translates into greater efficiency in operations and stronger outcomes for your beneficiaries. A workforce that thrives will go above and beyond to contribute to your organisation’s mission, often finding creative ways to address challenges and drive impact.
Impact: Improved service delivery and measurable progress toward organisational goals.
Stronger Stakeholder Relationships
The positive energy of a thriving workforce can be contagious, spilling over to interactions with external stakeholders. When employees are thriving, their passion and commitment shine through, enhancing relationships with donors, partners, and the communities the organisation serves. A culture of wellbeing and excellence inspires confidence and fosters trust, making it easier to build and sustain critical partnerships.
Impact: Enhanced reputation, increased funding opportunities, and stronger community engagement.
Resilience in Times of Change
The social sector is no stranger to uncertainty, whether due to shifts in funding landscapes, evolving policy environments, or unforeseen crises. A thriving workforce is inherently more resilient, adapting more effectively to change and maintaining high levels of performance under pressure. Investing in people’s wellbeing equips them with the skills and mindset needed to navigate challenges collaboratively and constructively.
Impact: Greater organisational agility and sustainability, even in turbulent times.
How to Foster a Thriving Workforce
Creating an environment where employees thrive requires intentional effort and investment.
Key strategies could include:
- Inclusive Leadership: Leaders who model empathy, respect, and inclusivity set the tone for a supportive organisational culture.
- Recognition and Reward: Celebrating achievements and recognising contributions boosts morale and reinforces positive behaviours.
- Wellbeing Programmes: Initiatives that support mental health, physical health, and work-life balance are foundational to a thriving workforce.
- Regular Engagement and Feedback: Actively listening to employees and acting on their feedback fosters a culture of inclusion and continuous improvement.
- Development Opportunities: Providing pathways for growth and learning enables employees to develop their skills and pursue their aspirations within the organisation.
What might change if you focussed on your people?
When social sector organisations invest in ensuring their workforce thrives, the benefits are profound and far-reaching. From enhanced wellbeing and improved performance to stronger relationships and greater resilience, the impacts of prioritising people cannot be overstated. By fostering a thriving workforce, organisations not only support their employees but also amplify their ability to drive meaningful, sustainable change in the world.
How can Roots HR CIC help?
As HR consultants dedicated to supporting the social sector, we encourage and can support you to make thriving at work a core part of your people strategy.
In 2025 we will be providing you with guidance and support through our range of FREE HR resources such as blogs, webinars, free training and development opportunities so together we can build workplaces that empower individuals and transform communities—one thriving employee at a time.
In the meantime, if you want to talk through how we may be able to support you with leadership training, pay and reward strategies, wellbeing strategies or development strategies, please contact us!
