No one can wholeheartedly say that the events industry is a stress-free place to work. Since 2009, there has been a 24% increase in the number of sick days due to stress, anxiety and depression!

This guest blog from 8 Northumberland Avenue includes some insightful advice for event planners on maintaining your wellbeing.

THE VALUE OF A HAPPY WORKFORCE

We cannot escape the fact that the events industry is people facing. Having a workforce that is enthused, impassioned and well looked after, will not just benefit your employee’s wellbeing, but the company as a whole. The events will be seamless, and clients will return for this pristine experience.

At our central London events venue, we value our own five-star service which we put at the heart of what we do. Establish what you expect your five-star standards to be and communicate this to your employees.

ENCOURAGE HONESTY IN THE WORKPLACE

You cannot set standards and expect these to be met without any feedback.

Everybody is different, so what causes stress to one person, won’t necessarily cause stress to another. Listen to your employees and accept that everybody has their own area which makes them uncomfortable.

ABOLISH THE BLAME CULTURE AND EMBRACE FAILURE

When things go wrong the obvious reaction is anger, however, this can be the most damaging. A leadership that is calm in situations of high stress, who will focus on improvements to be made rather than the negatives, will see long-term benefits.

Rather than blowing up, offer support and embrace failure. Worrying does not make something safer or mean that you care more. Instead learn through failure and put precautions in place so that the mistake does not happen again.

INVEST IN YOUR EMPLOYEES TO GIVE VALUE TO YOUR COMPANY

The most important element to maintaining wellbeing in a stressful industry is to invest in your employees. More training, rewards for success and investment in their development should be a top priority. In doing so, you will generate a workforce of brand advocates who believe in the company they work for.