Supporting employee wellbeing in the workplace has become an important aspect of running a business. Good companies know the importance of their people. And as a result, they take the necessary steps to make sure the employees are happy and healthy.
Mental health has become a massive buzzword in the modern workplace. In our fast-paced world, it’s of great importance to take care of our health, both physically, mentally and emotionally.
There is greater awareness of burnout, anxiety, depression and work-life balance.
What is Employee Wellbeing?
Employee wellbeing is multifaceted. It includes all areas of working life. This includes factors such as their physical working environment, colleague relationships, work-life balance and the way they view their work. A big part of this is making sure you create a positive work environment.
Why is Employee Wellness Essential?
Happy employees make for a happy business. Without good people, your business wouldn’t be able to operate effectively. Ensuring your well-being and the well-being of your staff is ensuring the well-being of your business.
Investing in the well-being of employees has multiple benefits. A healthy employee is more resilient, making them less likely to burn out, fall ill or be absent from work. It also can lead to better employee engagement, increased productivity and higher performance.
Tips to Improve Employee Wellness
Even the smallest things can help to improve employee wellness in the workplace. Here are just a few tips to help keep your staff members happy and healthy.
Movement
Sitting hunched over a laptop all day is bad not only for the body but also for the mind. Ideally, you need to get up and walk around once an hour. There are some great desk stretches or even some forms of desk yoga that help incorporate movement into the workday.
Some office spaces offer yoga classes during the workday or after hours to allow employees to stretch, relax and rejuvenate.
Lunch Breaks
It is not uncommon to see employees eating lunch at their desks while they try to get their work done. Taking regular breaks is important not just for mental health, but also for productivity. Employees are entitled to lunch breaks, but they often don’t take them.
As an employer, you should investigate why this is. If possible, encourage them to go outside and soak up some sun and get some Vitamin D.
Switch Off
Employees can sometimes feel the need to work constantly. Check-in with them and make sure that when they leave the office, they don’t log back onto their laptop at home. Barring emergencies, your employees should be able to leave work to work hours.
Giving them time to do other things besides work will help them maintain a good work-life balance. This time off will also help them to keep their home life at home, rather than it interfering during office hours.
Listen
One of the greatest ways to support employee well-being is simply by listening. If they have any concerns or seem tired, let them know that they can take a break.
Find out what their priorities are so you can help them balance their work alongside them. This is especially important when it comes to parents of small children.
If your staff members are struggling, find out if there is anything you can do to help. Sometimes taking the smallest thing off their plate can make the world of difference.
Support
If employees feel alone or isolated, they’re less likely to reach out if they need help. Humans are social creatures and contact with others is important. Let your employees know that there is support available to them, whether it’s within the workplace or externally.
Offering access to medical professionals, psychologists or counsellors can be a great way to offer your staff members additional assistance.
Taking Care of Your Employees
Without your employees, your business won’t succeed. Investing in your employees is the same thing as investing in your business. But employee wellness schemes are a continuous investment. They need to be integrated into the business in order for them to be successful.
Supporting employee wellbeing in the workplace has become an important aspect of running a business. Good companies know the importance of their people. And as a result, they take the necessary steps to make sure the employees are happy and healthy.
To learn more about what Cube offers, check out our office space solutions or contact us for more information.