How Magnetic boosted employee wellbeing to achieve an 86% satisfaction rate
Lara
Wrote this on, October 23, 2024
At Magnetic, one of the UK’s leading design and innovation companies, employee wellbeing is a core value that shapes the company’s culture and success. Recognising the need for expert guidance in supporting the mental health of its team, Magnetic partnered with Everymind at Work, a specialist organisation dedicated to workplace mental health. This collaboration has enabled Magnetic to enhance its wellbeing initiatives, providing vital resources and professional support to its employees.
The key numbers:
- 86% of employees feel well-supported in their mental health thanks to Everymind at Work’s initiatives.
- 100% participation in Everymind’s webinars, demonstrating a company-wide commitment to wellbeing.
- Employees feel more confident and equipped to manage stress, both at work and personally, after engaging with Everymind’s resources.
While we had a sense that we were doing alright, we didn’t have the data to back it up. With Everymind, we now have data that shows us where we were missing the mark and how we can improve. It’s been transformative.
– Jenny Burns, CEO
Where the story began…
For Magnetic, a company where people are at the heart of its service, employee wellbeing is not just a priority but a necessity. CEO Jenny Burns stresses the importance of this approach, “Our people are everything. We need them to be well in mind, body, and soul in order for them to deliver the brilliant work they do for our clients.”
Recognising that more could be done, Magnetic turned to Everymind at Work for expert wellbeing support. Burns explains, “While we had a sense that we were doing alright, we didn’t have the data to back it up. With Everymind, we now have data that shows us where we were missing the mark and how we can improve. It’s been transformative.”
One of the most valuable resources provided by Everymind is the wellbeing roadmap. This structured plan highlights key dates for mental health awareness initiatives, offers actionable steps, and provides a schedule of relevant webinars and resources. For Clare Midgley-Jewitt, Head of Learning and Development, this roadmap has been a game-changer in managing employee wellbeing more efficiently.
“As part of a small but growing business, time is one of our most valuable commodities,” Clare explains.“Before, we were constantly trying to pull together mental health content and plan activities ourselves, which was time-consuming and often reactive. With the wellbeing roadmap from Everymind, we now have a clear structure to follow. It’s all laid out for us – whether it’s awareness days, webinars, or quick, easy-to-share resources.”
This roadmap not only saves time but also ensures that every initiative is tailored to meet the specific needs of Magnetic’s workforce. “Having the roadmap takes a huge weight off our shoulders,” says Clare. “It allows us to be proactive rather than reactive. We can plan wellbeing activities ahead of time, and it’s been invaluable for the people team.”
The clarity provided by the roadmap enables Magnetic’s wellbeing team to focus on delivering high-impact initiatives without the constant need to source new ideas. With a mix of bite-sized media, including posters, videos, and guides, the roadmap helps to keep wellbeing at the forefront of the company’s culture while reducing the burden on internal teams.
One of the most significant benefits of partnering with Everymind has been the introduction of data-driven insights. Clare highlights how this has enhanced their approach:
“We’ve gone from a gut feeling to having concrete data. Before, we weren’t communicating our mental health benefits as effectively as we thought. Now, with Everymind’s support, we can tailor our resources to meet our people’s needs.”
The shift from assumption to evidence has been crucial in helping Magnetic create a more supportive environment. Everymind provides practical, actionable data, including mental health insights, helping the company to refine its wellbeing strategies and communicate them more effectively to employees.
Webinars that got everyone talking
Central to the success of Magnetic’s wellbeing programme are the Everymind webinars, which provide a space for employees to learn about mental health topics and apply practical tools to their daily lives. These webinars have become a focal point for employees to reflect on wellbeing, both personally and professionally.
Jenny notes the powerful impact of these sessions: “The webinars are so well-attended, and it’s clear that they resonate with our people. After each session, there’s always a noticeable increase in conversation around the topic, whether it’s stress management or habits. It’s great to see the whole team engaging with their wellbeing in such a meaningful way.”
For Clare, one particular session stands out. “One of the webinars introduced the Eisenhower Matrix for prioritising tasks. It really stuck with me – it’s about having clarity on what needs to be done and tackling the tasks that often get put off. I use it every day now, and it’s been a game-changer.”
These practical takeaways extend beyond work, with employees sharing insights from the webinars with their families and incorporating new habits into their personal lives. “I remember the habits webinar – I was taking screenshots and sending them to my wife,” shared one employee, reflecting the personal impact of the sessions.
The webinars have also been key in fostering open dialogue about mental health across the organisation. During the era of hybrid working, where employees can sometimes feel isolated, these sessions have provided a valuable touchpoint for connection. Burns shares,
Everymind’s webinars create a space for our people to come together and talk about their wellbeing, outside of the pressures of daily work, especially with hybrid working, it’s become an anchor for meaningful conversations, ensuring we maintain a sense of community.
The wellbeing team at Magnetic, comprised of employees from different departments, takes the insights from the webinars and integrates them into team activities, ensuring that wellbeing remains a central focus throughout the business. Clare adds, “We use activities we’ve learned from Everymind in our squads, then share them across the business. It’s about keeping wellbeing at the forefront of everything we do.”
Manager training that actually makes a difference
A crucial aspect of the Everymind partnership has been the training provided to managers, equipping them with the tools they need to support their teams without feeling overwhelmed by the responsibility of managing someone else’s mental health. This has been invaluable in reducing stress for managers while empowering them to offer effective support. Clare reflects on the difference it’s made:
The manager training took a huge amount of pressure off our leaders. It gave them the confidence to say, ‘It’s not my job to fix this, but I can provide support and signpost you to the right resources.’ That shift has been so important for the wellbeing of both our managers and their teams.
The company recognises the importance of role modelling healthy behaviours from the top. Jenny is candid about her own struggles: “As a CEO, it’s essential that I’m open about how I manage my mental health. Whether it’s taking time off every six to eight weeks or protecting my weekends, I try to role model that balance. It’s important for everyone to see that it’s okay not to get it right all the time.”
Key challenges
Lack of data to measure mental health initiatives
- Challenge: Magnetic lacked data to measure the effectiveness of its existing mental health initiatives.
- Outcome: Everymind provided data-driven insights, helping Magnetic better understand employee needs and target mental health support more effectively.
Difficulty communicating mental health benefits
- Challenge: There was difficulty in effectively communicating the available mental health benefits to employees.
- Outcome: Tailored communication strategies from Everymind ensured clearer, more effective messaging about mental health resources.
Time-consuming wellbeing planning
- Challenge: The process of planning and delivering wellbeing content and initiatives was time-consuming.
- Outcome: The wellbeing roadmap provided by Everymind saved the people team significant time, offering a structured plan that includes key awareness dates, webinars, and easily shareable resources.
Managers feeling overwhelmed by mental health responsibilities
- Challenge: Managers felt overwhelmed by the responsibility of supporting their teams’ mental health without adequate tools.
- Outcome: Manager training from Everymind equipped leaders with the tools and confidence to offer support without feeling burdened.
Need for ongoing, practical mental health resources
- Challenge: There was a need for ongoing, practical mental health resources that could be easily implemented across the organisation.
- Outcome: Everymind’s mix of webinars, posters, videos, and guides ensured a steady stream of accessible, high-impact mental health resources for all employees.
Magnetic’s partnership with Everymind at Work has been a transformative journey, allowing the company to better understand and support its people’s mental health. With data-driven insights, a wellbeing roadmap, and a commitment to open conversations, Magnetic is building a workplace where wellbeing is prioritised at every level. As Burns sums up, “We’re not just ticking a box – we’re truly investing in our people’s mental health, and it’s making a real difference.”
If you’re interested in learning more about how Magnetic is prioritising mental health support and staying ahead in the industry, we recommend watching our video case study here.
