Wellbeing fact sheet

Introduction

The average person spends more than 10 years of their life at work. At BAE Systems, we want that time to count. That’s why we champion wellbeing in the workplace – a positive working environment helps our employees and, in turn, our Company to thrive.

What is wellbeing at work?

The World Health Organisation describes wellbeing as a ‘resource for healthy living’ and a ‘positive state of health’ that is ‘more than the absence of an illness’ and enables us to function well: psychologically, physically, emotionally and socially. Many factors combine to affect wellbeing, from overarching policies to workplace relationships, decision making to the working environment, and the tools and support available to individuals and groups.

Why is wellbeing important?

When we promote and support health and welfare we deliver benefits for BAE Systems, our people and the communities they live in. Good health and wellbeing means employees are more resilient, more engaged and more productive. Performance increases and absence due to sickness falls. Positive wellbeing increases job satisfaction improves focus at work and reduces stress or the ability to manage stress. Today’s workforce is fluid and mobile – if our people are not happy with our workplace climate they will move on, making attracting and retaining people ever more challenging.

What are the ‘five ways to wellbeing’?

The five ways to wellbeing were first identified in 2008 as part of the Foresight and New Economic Foundation Mental Capital and Wellbeing Project, which considered how to achieve the best possible mental development and mental wellbeing for everyone in the UK. These evidence-based ways to improve wellbeing, which we follow at BAE Systems, are:
 

• CONNECT – establishing strong social connections and positive relationships with others, particularly those with shared experiences; 
• BE ACTIVE – taking regular physical activity to increase self-esteem and reduce stress and anxiety and improve physical health;
• TAKE NOTICE – being in the present;
• KEEP LEARNING – developing or improving skills and expanding our social connections; and
• GIVE – helping others not only in material ways but also with time and support.

 

Who is responsible for wellbeing at BAE Systems?

We have a centralised mental health at work strategy and cross-Company wellbeing initiatives and programmes, which are underpinned by individual market/Business wellbeing strategies and programmes. Our ESG, Culture and Business Transformation Director is our Executive Committee champion for wellbeing and she actively supports the programme.
 
Since wellbeing at work incorporates a number of aspects, there are a number of Policies within our Operational Framework that contribute to its active management in the organisation, each of which defines Line Leaders’ responsibilities for key actions. These Policies and respective programmes are overseen by the Executive Committee, Environmental, Social and Governance Committee and Remuneration Committee. The Policies include:

• Code of Conduct, which contributes to building a culture of psychological safety;
• Health and Safety Policy, which ensures our employees are working in environment’s where health and safety risk is minimised and well managed;  
• People Policy, which supports financial wellbeing, engagement, consultation, inclusion, and that the wellbeing of all is considered in the environment in which they operate;
• Community Investment Policy, which allows employees the opportunity to give back to local communities, charities and make social connections; and
• Leadership Framework, which encompasses Company and individual behaviours, reward and personal development.

 

These Policies are reviewed annually as part of our Operational Framework. 
 
These Policies are supported by local Policies and operating procedures to address local market or Business needs, and employees are engaged throughout our locations on wellbeing issues.
 
Employees undertake mandatory mental health awareness training and they can also access self-led learning programmes covering many different aspects of wellbeing.  

How does BAE Systems manage wellbeing in the workplace?

The health and safety of our employees is paramount. As a manufacturing organisation, we operate a wide variety of industrial processes across the globe. The risk profile of our sites varies but the main risks to employees includes working in confined spaces, work at height, slips, trips and falls and risks associated from machining operations. We have stringent controls to ensure we minimise those risks. We positively encourage employees to report incidents and we investigate risks or incidents that could cause serious injury or death so that managing health and safety is preventative rather than reactive. We focus on training to make sure our employees have the information, instruction, training and supervision they need to go about their work in a safe and healthy manner.
 
Our health, safety and environmental management systems mitigate and reduce health risks at work. As well as legally required health interventions, we deliver additional services such as physiotherapy, lifestyle advice, health promotion and flu vaccination programmes so that our employees can take better care of their health in a proactive way that can be shared with families and local communities. Employees, managers and partners can also access reputable health information for advice and support.
 
We measure our safety performance against globally recognised metrics and our Safety Maturity Matrix drives genuine continuous improvement.
 
But wellbeing at work is a jigsaw – a combination of strong policies, processes, culture, rewards and benefits that make the workplace a healthy, psychologically safe one, where employees can be themselves and bring their best selves to work. 
 
We have a number of operational policies, committees, initiatives and strategies in place that feed into, or indirectly affect wellbeing at work. For example, under our Operational Framework, our Global Health and Safety Policy directly addresses the health and safety (including psychosocial) of our employees. Our Global People Policy sets out to create engaged and inclusive work environments, where individuals are respected and where the value of a diverse workforce is recognised, with appropriate reward frameworks in place and with the resources and support employees need.
 
As so many aspects of life and work affect our wellbeing, we need various Policies and guidance to support our employees to be their best. To support our Global policies we have local Policies are in place in the countries in which we operate, in line with local legislation. 

How does BAE Systems help employees connect?

An inclusive, diverse workplace culture fosters a sense of belonging, safety and purpose for employees, which helps to increase productivity long-term. An inclusive work setting supports wellbeing through positive effects on employee self-concept and self-esteem, enhanced career achievements and progression, better work-life balance, social connectedness and belonging, reduced discrimination, prejudice and harassment and pro-social behaviours. 
 
We champion social activities that bring people together at a local level. We regularly mark events such as International Day of Persons with Disabilities, commemoration days and religious festivals which helps employees from different communities learn from each other, as well as creating connections. 
 
We work with organisations such as Cancer Research UK and respected mental health training providers to deliver bespoke material that not only benefit employees by raising awareness, but their family and friends in turn. Our Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) events in schools and with other target groups help us reach a wider audience and are a valuable way of contributing to inclusion. 
 
Our Employee Resource Groups are employee-led groups that work across BAE Systems to offer employees community, camaraderie and connections. The groups welcome employees not only from their own communities, but also other employees who want to learn and understand, and who can act as valuable allies.
 

• MindSet is our ERG for mental health, with over 270 members and a representative from each Business unit.
• Embrace support cultural and ethnic diversity.
• Enabled whose mission is to promote disability equality.
• OutLink (UK & Australia) aims to raise awareness of issues that LGBTQ+ employees face.
• Gen our Gender Equity Networks that champion gender equity. 
• VetNet offers support to veterans, reservists and their supporters.
• EncourAGE uniting and empowering our multi-generational workforce.
• FirstNations supporting our indigenous communities in Australia.

 

How does BAE Systems help employees be active?

We have a range of rewards and benefit platforms where colleagues can access lifestyle discounts such as gym memberships and health benefits. Our recent Step Challenge logged almost 8,000 km or more than two million steps, not only helping people get physically active and improve their mental health, but also to meet colleagues in other Businesses, sparking new connections. We offer programmes such as ‘Cycle to Work’, and many of our sites encourage active travel to and from the workplace with initiatives such as cycle repair stations, walking meetings and simple guidance and reminders about incorporating exercise into the day.

How does BAE Systems help employees take notice?

Our Unmind platform actively encourages users to ‘check in’ and take time out to refresh and refocus, with tools to help build mindfulness into their day. Through our reward and benefit platforms, there are opportunities to learn more about and adopt healthy lifestyles, management coaching and advice on topics such as eldercare, childcare, debt and relationships. 

How does BAE Systems help employees keep learning?

We make free content available to our employees through digital learning platforms and encourage and help them on a journey of life-long learning that can enhance understanding of the world around us, and introduce learning into our daily habits to improve problem solving, autonomy and deliver a sense of personal satisfaction from learning something new and achieving a goal. Our UK and International Spark digital learning platform has more than 27,000 courses – including lots of mental health and wellbeing topics. Our Employee Connection Groups are an important part of this – by sharing lived experience of topics such as neurodiversity, mental health or gender dysphoria. Our employees can learn about things they may not have experienced themselves, which contributes to an inclusive culture. We have regular awareness sessions throughout our organisation to share knowledge on different topics. We also support formal learning with funded courses and qualifications, apprenticeships and academic partners.

How does BAE Systems help employees give – helping others not only in material ways but also with time and support?

We're committed to supporting charities and programmes that are closely connected to our Business and its values. We focus on our customers, education and the future workforce, heritage and local communities. Research shows that along with the benefits of making new connections and friendships, volunteers are more satisfied and any symptoms of depression decline. Through payroll giving, matched funding and sponsorships, our social impact and community investment make a difference to our employees, and to individuals and communities outside our Business. Our social impact and Community Investment framework allows us to invest in and support the communities in which we live and work, and volunteering is actively encouraged. Mentoring programmes, both internal and external, help our employees share their experience with those developing in their field. 
 
The information contained in this fact sheet is for PLC managed businesses and is accurate as at the date of its publication.
 
Publication date: 08/11/24