The pandemic has transformed how we work and with many returning to the office, working hybrid or remotely, it will continue to evolve. No matter where employees are situated, how small or large a firm it is, it’s important to foster a culture of good wellbeing to positively influence both employees and the company.
Corporate wellbeing programmes are becoming more and more popular. Once seen as an added perk for employees, they are now an integral part of the business agenda.
But what is workplace wellbeing? Generally speaking, it means promoting staff wellbeing at work and empowering staff with the knowledge and tools to be proactive in boosting and protecting their own wellbeing.
Fostering a culture of good wellbeing can help prevent work induced stress and create a positive and healthy work environment where employees and the company can thrive.
On average, we spend a third of our adult life at work. That is a significant amount of time and how we feel about work has a big impact on our day, life, home, and on our general happiness.
A VHI study conducted in 2018 reported one in five employees missed work in the previous year due to stress, anxiety or depression while mental health related illnesses are one of the most common reasons for long-term absence.
Employee stress and ill mental health can directly impact levels of absenteeism, presenteeism and reduced performance - all at a high cost for employers. As a result, implementing wellbeing initiatives and strategies should be seen as a key business driver.
Businesses have a duty of care to employees both physically and psychologically and employers hold a responsibility for the wellbeing of their staff. However, there is a wealth of evidence that points to a positive correlation between workplace wellbeing and improved business KPI’s. Fostering a culture of good wellbeing not only produces a happier workforce, the benefits to the company are just as happy:
- Improvement in staff productivity and engagement
- Can help with staff retention
- Increase in employee morale
- Reduction in absenteeism
- Stronger employer brand and reputation
- A resilient workforce
In recent times, our collective interest in health and wellbeing has expanded and two years on from the beginning of the pandemic, the role and value of workplace wellbeing is recognised more than ever. This new era in our working lives has proven how fundamental employee wellbeing is to company resilience and creating a healthy workplace is something employers are becoming much more aware of.
National Workplace Wellbeing Day is a great starting point and opportunity for organisations looking to promote the wellbeing of employees.
Evidence suggests there is a holistic and cyclical effect of promoting wellbeing in the workplace both for employers and employees. Therefore, companies should take the steps to support employees and demonstrate their commitment to promoting positive mental health.
Like most workplace initiatives in order for it to be successful, leadership buy-in is essential. This obstacle has been cited as one of the biggest barriers to implementing workplace wellbeing strategies. By linking employee wellbeing with success metrics, increased business performance and clearly demonstrating how it will positively impact all aspects of the business is a sure way to ensure clear, consistent and visible support from the top down.
There is a plethora of ways how a culture of workplace wellbeing can be embedded into an organisation through internal policies and offerings. The most popular strategy is an employee assistance programme, however there is a wealth of additional supports employers can put in place to promote workplace wellbeing. For example, some organisations run employee wellbeing events such as mindfulness or exercise classes, a no meetings Fridays’ policy, provide mental health training for managers to identify signs of mental stress, offer flexible working arrangements, promote a culture that fosters a healthy work-life balance, and raise awareness of mental health challenges within the workplace.
If you would like more advice or assistance on wellbeing whether an employee or an employer, the Thrive Wellbeing Hub provides counselling, wellbeing coaching, information, advice and lots more to all members of the Institute.
You can contact the Thrive wellbeing team by email at: thrive@charteredaccountants.ie or by phone: (+353) 86 0243294.
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