Lacking motivation? Not feeling productive? It could be because of a lack of health and wellbeing at work.
The fact is, our physical and mental health can have an effect on how we work. As a leader, it’s important to promote great habits so that your team is focused and engaged.
What is workplace wellbeing?
Workplace well being encompasses both physical health and mental well being, as well as overall satisfaction with one’s job. In other words, it’s about more than just being physically healthy; it’s about feeling good—mentally and emotionally—at work.
Health and wellbeing at work is about creating an environment that supports physical, mental, and social health for employees.
It’s about having policies such as Occupational Health and safety (OHS), programs, and practices in place to help your team stay well and motivated in their work.
Why is wellbeing important at work
Health and wellbeing at work is important, both for employees and employers. It’s not just about feeling physically well, but also feeling mentally and emotionally supported.
For employers, health and well being in the workplace can improve employee engagement and productivity.
Wellbeing is important in the workplace because it leads to increased productivity, creativity and job satisfaction which ultimately helps the workplace succeed.
It also creates a stronger bond between co-workers, as health and wellbeing are often shared experiences.
Not only that, but investing in worker health and well being at work can help reduce absenteeism due to illness or injury.
Why is Worker health or occupational health important?
Health and wellbeing at work are important because employees who are well and happy at work are more likely to be engaged, motivated, productive, and creative. They’ll also have better relationships with their colleagues as health and well being are often shared experiences.
Happy employees are productive employees.
Studies have shown that employees who are satisfied with their jobs are more engaged in their work and more likely to go above and beyond to achieve company goals.
Happy employees are also less likely to leave their jobs.
Turnover is expensive; in fact, replacing an employee can cost up to 150% of that employee’s salary. So not only will investing in workplace well being help you attract and retain top talent, but it will also save you money in the long run.
Happy employees tend to be healthier employees.
This means they’re less likely to call in sick, which saves the company money on worker health insurance costs and lost productivity. They’re also more likely to take preventive measures to stay well in the first place, which further reduces healthcare costs down the line.
What is workplace mental health?
Workplace mental health refers to the policies, programs, and practices that are intended to promote emotional wellbeing in the workplace.
This can include stress management, emotional intelligence training, and access to mental health services.
Why employee mental health is important in the workplace?
Mental health is important in the workplace because it affects our ability to think, function and make decisions.
Poor mental health can lead to decreased productivity, absenteeism, errors in judgment and a negative impact on morale. When employees are feeling mentally healthy, they are more likely to be engaged, creative, motivated and productive.
Good mental health helps to create a safe and supportive environment for employees. When everyone is feeling mentally well, there’s less anxiety and stress in the workplace, which makes it easier for individuals to communicate openly with each other.
By investing in worker health employers can ensure that their team is well-equipped to handle any challenges they may face in the workplace.
This can help create a positive culture, which can lead to increased job satisfaction and improved performance.
11 ways to help improve health and wellbeing at work
1. Establish Clear Boundaries Between Work Hours and Leisure Time
Make sure employees know their work hours, but also encourage them to take breaks during the day for self-care activities such as yoga, meditation or exercise. This will give them time to relax and reset from the stress of their jobs.
2. Encourage Healthy Eating Habits
Provide healthy snacks in the office kitchen or cafeteria that employees can grab throughout the day. This will help them stay energized without sacrificing their health goals. You could also offer discounts to local restaurants that specialize in nutritious meals.
3. Promote Mental Health Awareness
Educate your employees about mental health issues such as depression and anxiety so they can recognize symptoms in themselves or others if necessary. Offer counseling services through Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) so they have access to professional help when needed.
4. Create a Stress Management Program
Stress can have an immense impact on an employee’s physical health and mental wellbeing, so setting up a stress management program can be beneficial for everyone involved. Consider implementing daily stress-reduction techniques such as mindfulness practices or breathing exercises during meetings or breaks throughout the day.
5. Empower Employees with Flexibility
Allow employees flexibility with working hours or locations if possible—this will give them more control over their schedules and make it easier for them to find time for necessary self-care activities like going for walks or exercising during lunch breaks outside of the office environment if desired.
6. Prioritize Physical Activity
Encourage physical activity throughout the day by offering incentives such as discounts on gym memberships or fitness classes near the office building, organizing weekly team sports activities, providing standing desks in common areas etc.—all of these strategies will get your team moving!
7. Establish Positive Workplace Culture
Foster relationships between coworkers by hosting team building events or social gatherings outside of work hours—these are great opportunities for people to bond over shared interests while having fun together! The stronger relationships between colleagues will encourage collaboration amongst them which leads to better results at work!
8. Foster Professional Development
Help your employees reach their professional goals by offering internal training sessions or workshops to help them grow in their careers. This will make them feel valued and appreciated as well as provide them with the knowledge and skills needed to be successful in their positions.
9. Encourage Time Off
Ensure that employees have ample time off from work to relax and recharge, as this is essential for their health and wellbeing. Whether it be vacation days or sick days, allowing employees the freedom to take a break from work will have a positive effect on their mental health and productivity in the long run.
10. Make Mental Health Resources Accessible
Provide resources such as online health and wellness programs, health coaches, or mental health professionals in the workplace to help employees learn more about worker health and how to better manage it. This will make it easier for them to identify potential health issues and take care of them before they become serious.
11. Monitor Employee Health Regularly
Make sure to regularly monitor health risks in the workplace such as air quality, noise levels, and ergonomic factors that can affect employee health. This will help prevent long-term health issues and ensure a safe working environment for everyone.
Health and wellbeing at work or in a workplace is essential for business success.
It leads to increased productivity and creativity, better relationships with colleagues, reduced absenteeism due to illness or injury, and improved job satisfaction and morale.
With good employee, health and well being are more likely to be engaged, motivated and productive, which is beneficial for both employers and employees.
Investing in health and wellbeing programs, policies and practices is a great way to ensure that your workplace is a safe and supportive environment, where all employees can thrive.
These 11 tips can help create a healthier, happier environment where employees feel supported and able to reach their potential.
Whether it’s creating more flexible working hours or making health education programs available, each of these strategies will help foster a culture in which health and wellbeing is valued.
By taking the time to invest in employee health and well being, your organization can ensure that everyone is working at their best.
Final thoughts on improving health and well being at work
It’s a win-win situation!
Investing in health and well being at work is beneficial for both employers and employees. Not only does it create a healthier, happier environment, but it will also lead to increased productivity, reduced absenteeism, better relationships with colleagues—the list goes on! So make sure you’re doing your part to improve health and wellbeing in the workplace—you’ll reap the rewards!
Happy health and wellbeing everyone!
