We've looked into why health and wellbeing in the workplace is important, and have identified 5 key ways in which you can improve yours.
The majority of adults spend up to 40 hours a week at work meaning it’s crucial that both employers and employees have high job satisfaction and feel safe in the workplace. When employees have good mental health, they make the most of their potential, cope better with additional workload, changes in the business and other possible stress-causing situations.
It’s common that employers are willing to spend more resources on ensuring the wellbeing of their staff. 29% of employers are looking to increase their spend on health and wellbeing over the next two years.
Here are 5 reasons why you should be joining them, and 5 ways to make it happen.
Why is health and wellbeing in the workplace important for you and your staff?
1. Happy staff = Happy profits
A successful business requires the collaborative effort of all staff members. Staff will be more motivated to help the company grow together if they feel satisfied with their job. Nine in ten employees believe that a happy workplace is more productive. Happy staff will be more motivated and productive. You need to ensure the happiness of staff if you are aiming for high business growth.
2. Increases staff retention and saves resources
It can cost nearly twice as much to hire a new staff member than it does to pay them for a year. You should prioritise staff retention, as hiring new employees wastes time and money. Positive wellbeing in the workplace helps increase staff retention. Benefits are a great way to improve wellbeing at work – they encourage employees to stay. A bonus scheme is a good example of this.
3. Improves workplace relationships
Positive health and wellbeing improves relationships around the office. Staff feel more valued if they feel satisfied with their work and know they are being physically and mentally supported by their employers. This also improves their working relationship with others and allows for more successful collaborative working.
4. Staff are more likely to take on new challenges successfully
You never know when a new opportunity is going to arise for your business. To ensure maximum success from a new venture, you need your staff to be able to manage change and take on new tasks. Staff who have a healthy wellbeing are more likely to accept new challenges with a positive outlook, are less likely to get stressed, and more likely to help you reach new goals.
How you can improve the wellbeing of your workplace
1. Open and honest communication
Raising the profile of mental health is crucial for improving wellbeing in your organisation. Good management is essential for good business, and this often starts with strong relationships and honest communication. You need to let your staff know that their wellbeing is important to you. Colleagues should feel they are part of a safe environment where they can discuss mental health at work.
2. Provide opportunities for wellbeing training
There are plenty of business services and tools available that can help you learn more about mental health at work. Your line managers should be appropriately trained to help employees if they need it. This means employees know they are being sufficiently supported and any issues can be solved effectively.
3. Encourage a healthy lifestyle
Both physical and mental wellbeing are important in the workplace. Encourage physical exercise by introducing a cycle to work scheme or even considering walking meetings. In the UK, we sit for an average of 8.9 hours per day. Introducing more activity to get you and your staff moving will improve wellbeing. Providing fresh food such as fruit can also be a great addition to the workplace, allowing for healthy snacking.
4. Offer flexible working
Ensuring staff have a healthy work-life balance is key to job satisfaction. Working from home can be a great way to mobilise this. Engaging your team from home has been proven to be 100% possible. Through a reduction in commutes, and the cost associated with this, staff can be happier and feel more relaxed at work.
5. Team away days and activities
Nothing breaks a working week up than a team trip to the local bowling alley, escape room or yoga class. Chat to your team before deciding on one specific activity, it’s good to know what will engage your team and what won’t. It’s a great way to get staff out of the office for a change of environment, build strong relationships between colleagues and improve overall work enjoyment and wellbeing.
Adding new wellbeing initiatives into the workplace can help a business grow and develop.
Do you want more guidance on other aspects that you can add to your business to help it expand? Get in touch with one of our business advisers about new things you could be doing for a positive change.
