Closing the Gender Gap: How Small Businesses Can Support Equality Through Workplace Wellbeing

With workplace wellbeing closely tied to career progression and retention, supporting employee mental health is not only the right thing to do – it’s one of the smartest ways to accelerate gender equality while supporting your business goals. 

70 million workdays are lost each year in the UK due to stress, anxiety and depression

The link between mental health and gender equality 

Many women navigate unique mental health pressures in the workplace. They often balance responsibilities at work and home, while also managing experiences like imposter syndrome, menopause, and other personal challenges 

This can lead to higher stress levels, burnout, and ultimately, decisions to step away from career opportunities altogether. 

Supporting workplace mental health is not just about being a good employer – it’s about removing barriers that prevent women from progressing in their careers. When we get workplace well-being right, we create the conditions for greater equity across the board. 

Why small businesses are key to change 

Small businesses make up 99% of UK companies and employ over 16 million people. While larger organisations often have more formal diversity programmes, small businesses can create change more quickly and personally. 

Small teams offer: 

• Faster implementation of new practices
• Closer relationships with staff
• A better understanding of individual needs
• More agile workplace culture
   

This makes small businesses a powerful, untapped force in the push for workplace equality. 

The business case for supporting wellbeing 

The cost of poor mental health is clear: 

• 70 million workdays are lost each year in the UK due to stress, anxiety and depression
• Employers lose an average of £1,723 per employee each year to poor mental health
• Replacing staff who leave due to burnout can cost up to 30% of their salary

But the benefits of investment are just as striking: 

• Gender-diverse businesses perform better financially
• Wellbeing initiatives can boost productivity by up to 20% (World Health Organization, 2023)
• Every £1 invested in workplace mental health support delivers an average return of £4.70

Looking after your team isn’t just good for people – it’s good for business.  

3 ways to support both well-being and gender equality 

Creating a fair and supportive workplace doesn’t happen overnight, but small, thoughtful changes can make a real difference. 

Here are three areas where small businesses can take action and start to shift the balance. 

1. Make flexible working truly flexible

True flexibility means more than flexible hours. It means: 

• Supporting employees with caring responsibilities
• Respecting work-life boundaries
• Rethinking assumptions about how and when work happens

Done well, flexible working helps women stay in their roles and progress in their careers without compromising their well-being.

2. Provide meaningful mental health support

Mental health support should be more than a token gesture. It should be: 

• Tailored to individual needs
• Backed by professional help such as workplace counselling
• Built into the culture, not just offered in a crisis

Women in particular benefit from safe, supportive environments that recognise the pressures they face.

3. Build a culture that works for everyone

Culture drives behaviour. A healthy workplace culture can make a bigger impact than any single policy. 

Key steps include: 

• Dropping “always on” expectations that lead to burnout  
• Creating realistic workloads
• Encouraging leaders to model healthy habits and boundaries

Psychological safety is crucial. When people feel safe to speak up, ask questions, or admit struggles without fear, everyone benefits. 

Small steps, big impact 

Supporting workplace counselling and wellbeing doesn’t have to be expensive. Even small actions can go a long way:

• Listen: Create regular chances for staff to share how they’re doing
• Review: Look at your policies to check for hidden biases or barriers
• Provide access: Offer simple, stigma-free routes to mental health support
• Lead the way: Show through your actions that well-being matters 

Changes such as wellbeing-focused check-ins, manager training, and peer support networks can transform your team culture.

Creating lasting change 

Every £1 invested in workplace mental health support delivers an average return of £4.70

Supporting workplace mental health in a way that recognises the unique challenges women face isn’t just a wellbeing strategy – it’s a strategy for real, lasting equality.