Did you know that your company’s performance could be improved by improving employees’ wellbeing? It’s true! Many organisations are now starting to see the importance of employee wellbeing and are making changes to how work is organised to improve it.
Having a healthy and happy workforce is a key to any successful business – after all, they’re the ones who are responsible for generating revenue and meeting goals. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the ways that you can improve your business performance by improving your employees’ health and wellbeing.
HOW EMPLOYEE HEALTH AFFECTS THE BUSINESS
Sick employees reduce the productivity and overall efficiency of a business. Also, having sickly employees who miss work costs the company. In fact, it’s been found that employers lose an average of £255 per employee per year due to missed days and lower productivity while ill. But it’s not just about absenteeism or matters of productivity. Occupational hazards and non-compliance to quality assurance due to an employee not feeling but still going to work are things to watch out for!
On the other hand, healthy employees are more productive – they take less time off work, have fewer accidents on the job, and generally generate more revenue for the company than their unhealthy counterparts.
Remember that human resource is the most critical resource of a business. If you fail to put a foundation of healthy and productive employees, that yields a guaranteed negative effect on the performance of your business in the long run.
There are many ways to improve your employees’ wellbeing to see these benefits come to fruition. Making small changes that support employees’ health and wellbeing can significantly impact your company’s success. By creating a culture of wellbeing at work and taking steps to improve employees’ physical and mental health, you’ll be well on your way to seeing improved productivity and profitability.
COST-EFFECTIVE WAYS TO IMPROVE EMPLOYEE HEALTH
There are several ways to improve employee health, many of which don’t involve spending a lot of money. Here are just a few:
- Create opportunities for physical activity:
Whether it’s encouraging employees to take the stairs instead of taking a lift, setting up walking meetings or offering employee discounts at local gyms, there are several ways employers can encourage physical activity throughout their workday.
Establish and design workplace health and fitness programmes. Make it a priority by setting aside enough budget to implement these activities.
One way is by offering wellness programs such as health screenings, smoking cessation programmes, Zumba or yoga sessions during breaks or identified weekly schedule, or weight loss challenges. Encourage employees to participate in these programmes by letting them know the importance of staying fit as an individual, employees, and parents or breadwinners.
Encouraging employee exercise during lunch breaks or after hours will help them feel energised and more focused when returning to their desks.
- Offer employees access to healthy food options:
This doesn’t mean you have to provide a full kitchen or subsidise their food bill, but having access to fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein can make it easier for them to make healthy choices. You could also offer healthier vending options or incentives for choosing nutritious snacks over less healthy ones.
- Reward your team members:
Recognising employee achievements is not only good for morale; it also makes people feel valued and appreciated by their employer. You do not have to spend much money on rewards either and damage your cashflows – just make sure that you give them in front of others, so everyone gets recognition as well!
Incentives can be monetary (like bonuses) or non-monetary (such as additional time off). Still, whatever form they take, management must understand how these programmes work best for different individuals within an organisation. Hence, everyone feels valued when participating in them – not just those who already have good health habits! This could mean providing opportunities like employee gyms at discounted rates where people feel comfortable exercising during lunch hours, while others may prefer flexibility with their schedules so they can go home early after working out each day.
- Don’t miss out on employee’s mental health:
Mental health issues affect millions of people from around the globe each year. Yet, less than 50 percent of those suffering from these conditions receive treatment because many believe they cannot afford it or think it will be too expensive or because of the social taboos associated with mental illnesses.
Employee health affects more than just the individual. It also affects the business as a whole. When employees are stressed or struggling with their mental health, it shows in their work. They may be less productive or take more sick days. In some cases, they may even quit their job altogether.
Always remember that mental health is equally important as physical. It contributes to the motivation and mood of employees to work, which in turn significantly impacts productivity. Aim to reduce workplace stress by encouraging employees to take breaks. Set up lounges and relaxation stations for them to breathe and find peaceful space when work is overwhelming. Let them have the option for flexible working hours.
Another way businesses can help is by creating a positive work environment. This includes providing adequate resources such as desks, computers, printers, and office supplies. It also means having a good work/life balance policy in place. Employees should take time off when they need it without penalty.
Offer mental health benefits. Many employers realise the importance of employee mental health and provide access to affordable counselling services through employee assistance programs (EAPs). And lastly, find opportunities for communication, socialisation and celebration!
- Promote financial wellness:
This could mean offering workshops on budgeting or debt management, matching employee contributions to plans up to a certain percentage, or even providing information on how to plan for retirement.
Most of the day to day and long-term stress/anxiety comes from finances. Employees will appreciate this knowing that the management is responsive to improving their wellbeing beyond physical or mental health and considering all aspects of life that can impact happiness at work, including financial stability and social support networks, for example.
- Provide education around nutrition and exercise:
There is no magic bullet for improving employee health; however, there are many ways employers can help their team members make better choices. Educating your employees on the benefits of healthy eating habits and regular exercise is one way. Invite professionals to speak during seminars and forums about specific health issues and prevent them as early as possible.
- Offer health coaching services:
Employees struggling with diet or weight issues may benefit from working one-on-one with a trained professional who can give personalised recommendations tailored specifically for them.
This is where local coaches like Rita Trotter come in – they can help your employees develop and follow bespoke programmes to improve their health and wellbeing. So, if you’re looking to give your team the best chance at success, consider investing in some coaching services!
- Encourage employees to take sick days when needed:
Instead of forcing themselves to go to work through illness just because it’s essential (and sometimes even necessary) for projects to get completed on time, let them have paid sick leaves until they are fit enough to go back to work.
Find other means to keep operations running, such as delegating other tasks to other present employees. This could also mean having meetings over Skype rather than in person if possible, so you don’t spread germs around the office! Employers should also ensure that there aren’t any employee policies that encourage presenteeism – this is when people come into work even though they’re not feeling well.
- Establish a committee for health and wellness
The wellness committee should work with management to identify health and wellness goals for the organisation.
This committee should develop programmes or initiatives that promote physical activity, healthy eating, stress management, and smoking cessation. This also includes providing education and resources on wellness topics and developing marketing materials to encourage wellness services offered by the organisation. In this way, the management can delegate the responsibility to this circle of people to do the planning and execution on their behalf.
Final note
Employers committed to creating a culture where employees feel valued as human beings rather than just another number have better retention rates because they’re more likely to take pride in their jobs while also feeling supported by management when things get tough outside of work hours.
It’s not a secret that happy employees lead to successful businesses. Show your team you care about them as individuals by taking an interest in their lives and wellbeing aside from pure work and business.
Creating a culture in the organisation where employees feel valued is essential for any business looking to make a positive, productive workplace. By following the suggested tips above, you’ll be well on your way to building a team of engaged, healthy, and productive employees.
