Employee wellbeing is often understated, especially in South Africa. A happy and healthy workforce is not only more productive, but also less likely to take sick days, allowing businesses to save money on absenteeism.
Additionally, employees who feel valued and appreciated are more likely to stay with a company for longer, reducing turnover rates. And, as an employer, knowing your staff are well taken care of makes you feel good too!
The benefits of improving employee wellbeing
Employees who feel supported by their employer are more likely to have high morale. They’re more engaged with their work, and they’re more likely to stick around for the long term. This is especially important if you work in an industry that requires scarce skills or very specific knowledge and expertise.
Investing in employee wellbeing is beneficial for your bottom line – in fact, the average Return on Investment for employee wellness programs is 6:1 – and of course, it’s the right thing to do for your people.
It’s clear that there are many benefits to investing in employee wellbeing. However, it’s not always easy to know where to start. Here are a few ideas:
Offer flexible working arrangements: Flexible working arrangements can help employees to better balance their work and personal lives. This can lead to increased productivity and decreased stress levels, especially in the case of parents who struggle to get the school run done, or have elderly relatives to care for.
Provide access to health and wellness programs: Offering health and wellness programs is a great way to encourage employees to lead healthier lifestyles. This can include anything from on-site yoga classes to fitness challenges.
Encourage regular breaks: When employees are given regular breaks, they have time to rest and recharge. This can help them avoid burnouts and be more productive when they return to work.
Promote a healthy work-life balance: A healthy work-life balance is essential for employee wellbeing. When employees feel like they have a good balance, they are less likely to experience stress and anxiety.
Create a positive work environment: A positive work environment is one that is supportive, inclusive, and friendly. Creating this type of environment can help employees to feel happy and engaged at work.
Make healthy eating easy: Providing healthy food options and making them easily accessible can encourage employees to make healthier choices. This can include anything from having salads and fruits available in the office to providing discounts at local health food stores.
Offer employee assistance programs: Employee assistance programs can help employees to deal with stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues. These programs can provide counselling, support groups, and other resources.
Encourage physical activity: Physical activity is a great way to reduce stress and improve overall health. Encouraging employees to be active can be as simple as providing a gym membership discount or having a lunchtime walking group.
Promote relaxation: Relaxation techniques such as yoga and meditation can help employees to reduce stress and improve their wellbeing.
Recognize achievements: Recognizing employee achievements is a great way to show appreciation and boost morale. This can be done in a number of ways, such as giving awards, sending thank-you notes, or providing bonuses.
Offer practical assistance: Remember that employees sometimes face immense challenges and stresses. They could be struggling with debt, have serious medical problems, or live in potentially unsafe environments.
One very practical and affordable way you can help is by offering EMERGIVAC membership as an employee benefit. Knowing that help is at hand if they or one of their loved ones has a medical emergency, their vehicle breaks down, or they suspect there is an intruder trying to break into their home is an extremely tangible way of showing you value them. Contact us to find out more about the solutions we can offer your staff, including emergency medical and trauma assist, as well as death and disability cover.
There are many other ways to invest in employee wellbeing. It is of utmost importance to find what works best for your company and your employees. By doing so, you can create a happy and healthy workforce that will benefit your business in the long run.
Tips for implementing an employee wellbeing program in your organisation
One of the best ways to decide which programs and initiatives will work best for your staff is to get their opinion and ideas. Here are a few tips for involving employees in your employee wellbeing program:
- Send out a survey: A survey is a great way to collect data from employees about their well-being needs and concerns. Remember that different personalities like to work in different ways – you might learn that some staff love the radio you have playing in the background, whereas others would appreciate a quiet space to focus on work.
- Host focus groups: Focus groups allow you to have more in-depth conversations with employees about their wellbeing. This can be a great way to get feedback about existing programs and identify areas that need improvement. Focus groups also encourage collaborative engagement amongst employees and with their employers.
- Encourage open communication: Encouraging open communication between employees and managers is essential for a successful employee wellbeing program. Employees should feel comfortable raising concerns and offering suggestions. It may be helpful to have an anonymised system, so staff can raise sensitive issues they might not otherwise feel comfortable bringing to your attention.
- Get input from all levels: When creating an employee wellbeing program, it’s important to get input from all levels of the organization. This will help to ensure that the program meets the needs of all employees.
- Make it a priority: Employee wellbeing should be a top priority for your organisation. This means investing time and resources into making it a success.
How to create a workplace culture of wellbeing
More than just standalone initiatives, creating a company culture that encourages wellbeing and lifestyle balance is essential for a happy and healthy workforce. And the best way to do that is to lead by example.
As a leader in your organisation, you have the power to set the tone for how employees should be treated. Show your employees that you care about their wellbeing by making it a priority in your own life. If you’re always the first one in the office and the last to leave, and always work through your own lunch break, employees will feel obligated to do the same.
Employee wellbeing is important for businesses of all sizes. Whether you’re a startup or a corporate, there are many ways you can start to instil a positive wellbeing culture. By investing in employee wellbeing, you can create a happy and healthy workforce that will benefit your business in the long run.
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