Senior managers at companies who are serious about improving diversity need to ensure they understand the relationship between ethnicity, wellbeing and performance in the workplace writes psychologist Elizabeth Yardley of Pearn Kandola.
It’s well established that our personal wellbeing influences our performance at work.
When our wellbeing suffers, we lack the resources to function properly. In its most extreme form, this can lead to burn-out, which is characterised by exhaustion and disengagement. The brain tries to conserve resources, suppressing certain behaviours and causing us to be chronically tired, confused or unable to concentrate. At work, this means we might struggle to find solutions or become withdrawn during meetings. We might also start to avoid social engagement, becoming less chatty around the office or finding excuses to avoid spending time with colleagues.
