On International Stress Awareness Week, we look at ways that organisations can reduce work-related stress through digital accessibility and steps to building an inclusive workplace culture.
International Stress Awareness Week
This year’s International Stress Awareness Week theme is ‘Optimising Employee Wellbeing through Strategic Stress Management’.
A workplace culture that prioritises growth, support, recognition, and psychological safety is not just advantageous, it’s essential. By actively fostering and sustaining such a culture, organisations empower individuals to succeed while reaping the benefits of a healthier, more productive workforce. In turn, creating a win-win for employees and the organisation alike.
Although many organisations are beginning to make their websites accessible for external customers, one side that is often overlooked is within the workplace itself. With intranets, emails, documents and policies, and e-learning modules all being digital, along with the producing work itself, digital accessibility is an area that can no longer be ignored.
Reducing work-related stress through digital accessibility considerations
Due to the Human Rights Act, organisations are required to provide reasonable adjustments for their employees. Sadly, often this is just taken to mean that providing a document in a different format, such as Braille or large print is enough. Of course, I’m not saying that isn’t an incredibly useful format to provide, however there are a magnitude of ways that businesses can help to build a truly inclusive workplace, where everyone can achieve their goals and flourish within their roles.
Something being digitally accessible ensures that the right steps have been taken to remove any barriers that can prevent the entire workforce from being able to complete their daily tasks in the same way as any other peer.
This can be by making sure:
- The workforce has access to the devices and software they require to support any additional needs, like screen readers and magnifiers.
- Intranets can be accessed with any assistive technology devices and its content being inclusive.
- Policies and documents from departments, such as Human Resources, are written and presented in a user-friendly way and saved in an accessible format.
- External apps that employees may need to access, such as pension information or pay slips, are also on an accessible platform.
- Virtual meetings on Teams or Zoom have inclusive facilities in place, such as live captioning to support Deaf or hard of hearing staff.
- Any e-learning modules that teams need to undertake are inclusively designed. This includes items such as media files having transcripts to support blind or visually impaired colleagues, so that everyone has the same learning experience.
The benefits of digital accessibility in the workplace
Forward-thinking organisations which consider the aspects like above, puts inclusion at the heart of its culture. In turn, helping all employees to feel valued, supported, and empowered by having access to the same equal opportunities.
Beyond having a happy workforce, there are also vast benefits for the future of an organisation. Recruitment isn’t the same as it used to be, people want to know that the organisation they may go into shares similar principles to their own and truly cares about their staff.
Therefore, for someone to:
- Enter an accessible career’s website and see that an organisation’s ethos prioritises their workforce’s individual needs.
- Know that they will belong in the business, being fully supported within their role no matter what technology they may use.
- Go for an interview which considers things such as allowing for extra time, giving clear expectations and providing the questions ahead of time, ensuring any tests are accessible with any required adjustments in place.
Will open the door to attract a wider talent pool with highly motivated and skilled individuals, that could be the most qualified and perfect fit for your team.
What organisations can do to begin their accessibility journey
To really be an inclusive organisation, it has to be a team effort. Every person in the workforce has a part to play. Beginning with the leadership teams, here are some simple steps to begin your journey to becoming accessible:
- Set out a clear vision and strategy to work towards.
- Change mindsets by raising awareness about digital accessibility.
- Rally a team of accessibility SPOCs/champions throughout the organisation.
- Think about any inclusive development needs or required upskilling training.
- Allow for additional time to enable teams to get into good habits.
- Have an audit to assess the accessibility of your internal and external platforms.
- Reach out and speak to your staff to seek their valuable feedback to discover if you have any problems that may need addressing.
- Promote all of the good inclusive steps forward to let your future employees know you are making them a priority.
Do you need help with digital accessibility in your organisation?
Whether it’s assessing the accessibility of your internal platforms or cross-department inclusive training and consultancy our accessibility experts offer a wide range of inclusive services to ensure all employees thrive.
