It is not hard to say the right thing. You can write a policy about employee wellbeing, highlight Mental Health Awareness Week or add flexible working to your careers page. But what happens when those words are not matched by what employees actually experience each day? That is where carewashing comes in. It is the gap between what organisations say, what they do and it is becoming more common.
In an time where employee wellbeing is regularly discussed in boardrooms (and across social media, particularly LinkedIn feeds), many businesses are now expected to show that they care. But if those efforts are only skin deep, the effects are more damaging than if nothing was said at all.
What Is Carewashing?
Carewashing is when a company creates the impression that it supports staff wellbeing without delivering real change. It might involve a public message from leadership, a branded wellbeing campaign or even access to an app. But behind the scenes, nothing improves.
Staff are still expected to work long hours. Breaks are still frowned upon. Admin loads remain unmanageable.
This kind of disconnect affects how people feel about their job. It creates frustration, disappointment and eventually silence. That silence is dangerous. It means employees no longer believe they will be listened to. They stop speaking up, stop sharing ideas and start looking elsewhere.
The Cost of Carewashing
When people lose faith in what their employer says, trust breaks down. Once trust is lost, performance falls, absenteeism rises and the strongest staff leave.
The issue goes deeper than just productivity. Company reputation is also at risk. Sites like Glassdoor and open conversations online make it easier than ever for potential recruits to find out whether your values match your actions.
According to Edelman’s Belief-Driven Employee study, 61 percent of workers choose their job based on whether a company lives up to its stated values. In a tight talent market, that matters.
How to Show Real Support
So how can businesses demonstrate that their support is real?
It starts with listening. Not once a year, but often. Ask staff what gets in the way of them doing their best work. Find out what small changes would make a difference.
One of the most common pain points is time spent on low-value work. Typing reports, writing up notes or logging updates all take longer than most people admit. These tasks are often given to team members already stretched for time, adding unnecessary stress.
By removing these tasks, you can give people back time to focus on work that moves the business forward.
Why Transcription Support Works
A growing number of companies are looking at transcription support as a quick win. Instead of asking staff to type up lengthy emails or reports, they offer a way to dictate thoughts straight into a voice recorder. That audio is then securely transcribed and returned, ready to use.
Dictation is up to four times faster than typing. In real terms, this means what would normally take forty minutes can be completed in ten. Multiplied over a week or a month, the time saved becomes meaningful.
Think about it. If you or your team could reclaim several hours every week, what else could you achieve? You might move faster on projects, serve more clients or simply finish on time more often.
Better still, using a service like OutSec means there is no need to reformat or polish your documents. You just speak. Our experienced legal and business transcribers take care of the rest.
This is more than a productivity tip. It is a statement that says you value people’s time and want to reduce unnecessary pressure.
A Small Change That Signals Bigger Intent
If employees feel like they are always playing catch-up, it is not enough to tell them you care. You need to do something that changes their day. Providing transcription support is one way to make that happen.
When organisations take even modest steps to reduce workloads, the effect on morale is noticeable. It makes people feel seen. It shows that leadership is not just talking about wellbeing but backing it with action.
That is what sets genuine support apart from carewashing.
Start By Asking The Right Question
If you are not sure where to begin, try this. Ask your team: what takes up time but adds little value?
If typing tasks come up, and they often do, consider whether transcription could be the answer. You do not need a full systems change. You just need a way for staff to capture their thoughts quickly and receive a finished product they can use straight away.
By taking action here, you not only make life easier for your team but also start to rebuild trust. That trust is the foundation of a healthy, resilient workplace.
When it comes to wellbeing, the small things matter. It is not about big promises. It is about follow-through.
About OutSec
OutSec is the UK’s leading online transcription company whose business has grown substantially since 2002. We are one of the most successful transcription companies in the United Kingdom.
OutSec provides secure outsourced transcription services to the medical, legal, property and surveying, universities, media and interviews, advisory boards, conferences & seminars, inventories, financial, corporate, HR, recruitment and Executive Search sectors.
With OutSec there is no minimum spend. Accounts are free to open. There are no monthly fees or hidden charges. You are charged on a per-minute basis (rounded up to the nearest minute).
Picture Attribution: By Freepik
