A typical person will work around 40 hours per week which equates to about 90 to 100,000 hours spent at work during a 45-year career (between the ages of 20 and 65 years old). That’s a huge chunk of time of our lives spent in a workplace environment – roughly speaking the number is about a third of our waking hours during our lifespan.
There’s no surprise then that in recent years, mental health has taken a front seat in workplace wellbeing strategies with many businesses striving to support their people to achieve better productivity, motivation and manage stress. The spotlight has often fallen on Human Resources, leadership teams and EDI champions. However, there’s another key player whose role is just as critical; Facilities Management (FM).
It’s staggering when you consider the financial and human costs of neglecting mental health:
- Poor mental health costs UK employers an estimated £56 billion per year, encompassing absenteeism, presenteeism and staff turnover (Hooray Insurance, 2023).
- Around 40 million working days are lost each year due to mental health-related conditions (Benenden Health).
- For every £1 spent on mental health interventions in the workplace, there’s an average return of £4.70 (Deloitte UK Report).
At Sussex Facilities Management, we believe that facilities management is more than maintaining the physical space as it’s about enhancing the human experience within that space. Mental health and wellbeing are deeply affected by our surroundings and facilities professionals have a unique opportunity to support your work spaces where we spend the majority of time, often in unseen but powerful ways.
Here’s how FM teams can actively contribute to better mental health in the workplace:
1. Designing for calm, clarity and comfort
Physical space shapes emotional wellbeing. Poor lighting, clutter, or uncomfortable furniture can contribute to low mood and fatigue reducing productivity potential.
Your FM professional can incorporate thoughtful design into work spaces creating an atmosphere that fosters productivity and peace of mind through:
- Maximise natural light and introduce LED solutions to reduce eye strain and boost alertness.
- Incorporate biophilic design elements such as plants, natural textures and calming colour palettes.
- Maintain ergonomic workstations to minimise physical strain and support mental focus.
2. Creating dedicated wellness spaces
With hybrid working, return-to-office transitions and ongoing strains on many employees, we all need to recharge throughout the day. FM can repurpose or adapt existing space to include:
- Wellness or quiet rooms for reflection, rest or meditation.
- Confidential conversation areas for mental health first aiders or HR support.
- Flexible zones for mindfulness activities, such as lunchtime yoga or breathing exercises.
Providing these safe spaces is a visible sign that mental health is taken seriously within the organisation and that support is always close at hand.
3. Supporting inclusion through facilities
An inclusive workplace is a mentally healthy one. FM contributes by ensuring:
- Accessible toilets and changing spaces that cater to all employees, regardless of gender or physical ability.
- Signage and layout that reflects diversity and avoids alienation.
- Clean, respectful communal areas that foster dignity, comfort and a sense of belonging.
We ensure that all employees feel seen, respected and supported, especially with the new ruling linked to the term ‘woman’ used in the Equality Act meaning a biological woman and ‘sex’ meaning biological sex.
4. Removing Everyday Stressors
Workplace stress doesn’t always stem from major events. Often, it’s the accumulation of small frustrations. There’s a lot that a facilities management company can fix, such as
- Addressing temperature, noise or lighting issues promptly.
- Ensuring regular cleaning and maintenance to support hygiene and comfort.
- Upgrading air quality and ventilation, particularly in enclosed or high-traffic spaces.
By quietly solving these daily irritations, businesses can create smoother, less stressful working days for everyone.
5. Being observers and allies on the ground
Facilities professionals are often among the most visible and approachable people in a building. At the heart of our mission is relationship building giving us a unique perspective on how employees use a client’s space and how they might be feeling.
- SFM team has been trained to spot signs of distress or disengagement, serving as early indicators for HR or leadership intervention.
- SFM team can facilitate feedback loops, gathering insights from employees about their environmental needs and wellbeing concerns.
We can use our proactive and caring approach to build a culture of responsiveness within your business and that’s why we pride ourselves on becoming your partners and not just service providers.
The bottom line is, facilities management isn’t just about maintaining buildings. It’s about nurturing the people inside them and when our FM team works hand-in-hand with your HR, EDI, and leadership teams, your business becomes a truly supportive environment for mental health.
For more information on how we can become your partner to enhance your workplace for mental health and wellbeing of your employees, call our team on 01444 812 171 or email office@sussexfacilities.co.uk.
Did you enjoy this read? You may also enjoy our recent blog on Biophilic design to support stress free work spaces.
