If you’re managing a team or head up your own business, consider these four steps to improving wellness among your employees.
Increasingly we’re hearing that healthy and happy employees increase productivity, improve company culture and reduce staff turnover. Whether you run an SME or a large corporation, caring for your employees’ wellness is in your best interests. Here are a few ways to show you care, effectively.
1. Encourage movement
We’ve all heard that sitting is the new smoking, so if your workforce is largely desk-based, this one’s for you. People who sit for the bulk of the day have far more health complications than those who move about at least once at hour. Standing is also encouraged, as it helps to keep blood flowing. Consider adding a few standing desks to each work area for people to use for an hour or two per day. As an organisation, you can incentivise movement by sponsoring fitness trackers, setting up walking meetings, or arranging fitness classes during lunch breaks and after work.
2. Healthy eating
Far too often, employees are limited to picking up a pie or a sandwich from the corner shop as their only option for lunch. Healthy eating habits help to prevent a wide variety of illnesses. Start by providing a fridge to store lunches brought from home, and a large enough space to prepare food and eat it away from a desk. Eating together promotes camaraderie too, which strengthens the bonds between team members.
3. Consider mental health
You might not think the mental health of your employees is any of your business, but it can save your business millions. If you consider the potential to decrease missed workdays and increase the productivity of everyone in the team, it becomes a priority. Train managers to notice pressure points and stressed individuals. Encourage meditation time – consider bringing in a professional to teach people how to meditate effectively. Set up alarms on computers to remind people to take a break, breathe deeply and step back.
4. Wellness at the office
Take advantage of any screening benefits your company medical aid offers. Get a nurse in to provide free flu vaccinations. Provide fresh fruit and switch out vending machine junk food for healthy snacks. Add an element of competition to the office, and challenge people to a walking competition (most smartphones have a step counter built in which can track steps).
Health and happiness are beneficial for everyone. There is no downside to getting involved in helping your employees be the best they can be. It might cost a little money sometimes, but the rewards in staff retention, happiness and productivity will be enormous.
Sources:
- 57 Great Ways to Encourage Better Employee Health: https://inside.6q.io/57-great-ways-to-encourage-better-employee-health/
- 4 Healthy Ways to Help Promote Employee Wellness in Your: https://www.americanexpress.com/us/small-business/openforum/articles/4-healthy-ways-help-promote-employee-wellness-office/
- 9 of the Best Ways for Employers to Encourage Workplace Wellness: https://www.hallmarkbusinessconnections.com/9-best-ways-employers-encourage-workplace-wellness-22/
5 Simple Steps to Encourage Wellness in the Workplace: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/r/culture-and-workplace/5-simple-steps-encourage-wellness-workplace/