Written by: Laura Lloyd
2 ways to improve well-being in the workplace
Employees have more flexibility than ever before, and this is a result of so many companies making the switch to hybrid or fully remote work options.
While that flexibility has been something employees appreciate and prefer, it does, unfortunately, have the ability to blur the lines between traditional work hours and off hours, since both of these now take place at home. This led to longer work days and more potential for burnout.
It brought to light now more than ever the relationship our work has on our overall well-being.
Employee well-being doesn’t just mean physical well-being anymore. It’s expanded to focus on “building a culture of holistic well-being including physical, emotional, financial, social, career, community, and purpose.”
84% of respondents surveyed in the Mental Health at Work Report say that workplace conditions had contributed to at least one mental health challenge. So, addressing the well-being of our employees is critical to a company’s success because it leads to highly-satisfied employees and more productive work environments, which can:
- Improve profits
- Improve morale and retention
- Creates a more positive atmosphere and more productivity
Companies can, and should, create environments that celebrate and prioritize well-being over everything else, and we can do this while maintaining productivity and showing our employees that their overall well-being matters and that the work they do matters.
However, you’ll find that workplace well-being can’t just be one-sided. It takes a collaboration that focuses on what’s best for both the employer and the employee.
2 things you can do as a leader to foster an environment of well-being in the workplace:
- Listen to your team and then positively respond with action.
This is how you support your team in a meaningful way, which can go a long way to improving well-being. Some examples of this are:
- Holding regular town hall meetings with employees where you ask for input and questions.
- Setting quarterly or annual goals with employees. This is a way to ask for their input, see where they thrive and then also see how you can better assert yourself as a leader to help them reach those goals. This is a great way to monitor their growth as employees.
- Participate in monthly or quarterly coaching with employees. This gives you a chance to train them, provide feedback from their direct reports and show them how to make noticeable gains in the workplace.
Listening to your team is one of the best ways to create a workplace culture that promotes input and collaboration and leads to better well-being overall. But remember to follow-up with positive action. Ever heard the phrase, “your actions speak so loudly I can’t hear a word you’re saying.” Be prepared to make the changes.
- Foster and instill a “win-win partnership.”
The employer/employee relationship is a partnership, and it should always be viewed this way. Leaders need to make this a focus by letting employees see that:
- The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. The company can only be successful if everyone works together. When one teammate struggles, the whole team struggles.
- Everyone on your team is responsible for your success. Find ways to highlight team members, show them feedback from clients and celebrate victories—big or small—to show your appreciation.
Workplace well-being is extremely important and you need to be able to make adjustments to ensure people are happy and healthy. Ultimately, that will make a big contribution to the success of your business.
If you’re interested in more resources to help any company begin the journey of improving its organization’s well-being, we’ve created this retention toolkit to help you!
