As a successful business, you probably offer health benefits for your employees. That’s an excellent beginning toward contributing to their wellbeing. But what other incentives do you provide for their welfare?
Consider other physical health benefits, such as sick leave and gym membership discounts. However, it would be wise to consider other areas of their security, happiness, and prosperity. For example, financial benefits like life insurance and pension plans or mental health benefits like counseling are essential for wellbeing.
A robust work-life balance is critical in helping employees find a place of wellbeing. Healthy working hours, paid leave, and other perks go far in contributing toward employees' best interests.
“Employee wellbeing” is on everybody’s lips these days. But what exactly is it, and why is it so important?
Let’s Define Employee Wellbeing
At its most basic level, employee wellbeing is how healthy your employees are. Most people consider physical health when thinking about wellbeing. But we should zoom out a bit and consider that there are many aspects to health and feeling well.
Mental health is gaining a lot of mainstream support; more people are beginning to realize how important it is to focus on psychological and physical wellbeing. As a result, what was once a somewhat taboo topic is now becoming normalized.
Because we spend so much of our time in our work environments, this leaves us wondering: is an employer responsible for the wellbeing of their workers?
Yes and no. Of course, an organization can’t control every aspect of its employees’ lives. However, they can contribute to overall wellbeing through efforts in the workplace. As with anything in life, you only get out of something what you put into it. That’s why it’s in a company’s best interest to focus on all areas of employee wellbeing.
Why Employee Wellbeing Matters
As a business leader, you understand that your employees are the heart and soul of a successful organization. Therefore, your company can only perform as well as your employees are capable of doing.
Think about what it’s like when you feel ill or aren’t in a great mental frame of mind. You can remember from experience how difficult it can be to get your job done; you can’t fully focus or are half-heartedly putting in effort. So, naturally, you don’t want that for your employees. It isn’t kind to them, nor is it good for your business.
That’s why it’s in the company’s best interest for employees to be feeling fit. Thriving employees bring one hundred percent of themselves to their role. Only when we feel our best can we live up to our potential.
As an HR professional, you have the power to make a positive and personal impact on employees’ lives. They spend the bulk of their days at the office; how they feel at work carries over into their personal lives, and vice versa.
What are the Benefits of Employee Health and Wellbeing?
Providing for your employees’ wellbeing is a kind and humane treatment and will bring positive advantages to the entire organization. You’ll be able to see the effects around the office and also in business results because employee wellbeing contributes to a thriving atmosphere.
For example, you’ll notice better relationships between co-workers and also between employees and management. When people are not mired in stress, they have an easier time communicating and cooperating.
Increased Productivity and Engagement
A robust wellbeing program may be an investment for your company. Yet it’s likely to be justified when you notice how engaged and productive employees are. High rates of employee wellbeing keep business moving smoothly.
85% of companies found that their wellbeing programs
improved employee engagement and productivity. Wellness means there are fewer distractions and obstacles to getting work done. Not feeling well can make it impossible to concentrate on work. However, thriving employees have the stamina and focus they need to perform their job.
Employees are also likely to make better decisions when they feel fully fit and focused. In addition, they are likely to make fewer mistakes because they’re centered on their work, not their problems.
Morale Boost
You know that you value your employees, but how often do you show them that you do? They will feel appreciated when their company cares enough about them to invest in their wellbeing. And a valued employee equals a happy employee. (And that circles back to productivity: happy employees are
13% more productive!)
High morale around the office brings less stress. And less stress at work is
always
a good thing. Too much strain leads to burnout and illness.
Recruitment and Retaining
Companies with comprehensive and well-rounded wellness programs make employers more attractive to potential job seekers. A company that centers employee wellbeing will get a better pool of candidates. Such companies acquire a reputation for caring for their employees, making them highly attractive.
Employee churn is also lower for these companies. Workers want to stick around when they are cared for. Employees are
69% less likely to seek employment elsewhere when they have good wellness opportunities. It’s difficult to walk away from a company that invests in you and provides for your needs.
Better Attendance
Healthy employees show up. Low morale, stress, and illness are some of the most common reasons employees miss work. But a wellness program cuts down on each of those problems, reducing reasons for employees to stay home and miss work.
Of course, this is important for business operations since productivity drops when the workers aren’t there to do the work.
What’s Your Company Wellness Plan?
The welfare of your employees should be one of your top priorities. Helping them reach physical health goals isn’t the only aspect of a versatile wellness program. You should also consider whether you’re supporting their financial and mental wellbeing. When you contribute toward your employees’ welfare, you’ll reap benefits, too. A more engaged and productive workforce, higher morale, and greater job satisfaction and retention result from a healthy and happy staff.
