Whether you work in the technology sector (like I do) or not, you have probably seen articles discussing automation and robotics, and how they can transform the workplace. But as I wrote recently, automation isn’t about replacing people, it’s about enabling people to spend more time on the tasks that matter most.

The same can be said of the importance of wellbeing in the workplace. If we aren’t mentally, physically and emotionally healthy, we cannot fulfil our potential.

Business leaders must understand that wellbeing in the workplace isn’t a tick-box, top-down HR programme; it is a business imperative. From the C-Suite to the IT Ops teams, helping employees to develop their own wellbeing is not just good for them, it’s good for business too.

With World Mental Health Day fast-approaching on 10th October, now is the time to remind ourselves that, according to the World Health Organisation, 25 percent of us will suffer a mental health problem during our lifetimes. Even those who don’t will almost certainly face times of great stress or uncertainty that impact their mental wellbeing.

These difficulties are inevitably brought into the workplace, too. The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work has estimated that 50-60 percent of working days lost annually are due to stress. This makes wellbeing everyone’s responsibility. And like many aspects of work, we must collaborate and support each other to succeed.

The same principles apply to physical health. Whether you’re like me and enjoy a long bike ride, or prefer a session in the swimming pool or gym, staying physically active can reduce the risk of some diseases, give you more energy and improve sleep. Exercise can also improve your mental health. Research cited by The New York Times showed that men and women with the lowest levels of fitness were 75 percent more likely to be diagnosed with depression than those with the greatest levels of fitness.

But wellbeing does not just refer to our personal health. It’s important for business leaders to reflect on the way employees connect with each other, and the wider community outside of the office. I’m proud that CA celebrates its diversity, as our 100 percent score in the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index shows. We all benefit from understanding the perspectives and histories of our co-workers and friends. As a father, I know my daughter can learn a lot from the life experiences of the diverse people she knows and looks up to.