Workplace wellbeing is very much a topic of conversation at present. After years of remote and hybrid working, staff are returning to the workplace. Some are practically running back and very happy to return to workplace life, seeing colleagues, face to face. Others, are not so enthusiastic. There are a host of reasons why people are resistant to working onsite; uneasy about mixing with lots of people or uncertain about changes in the workplace. Staff have also appreciated working from the comfort of home; enjoying increased social and family time from the lack of a commute. For many, experiencing an improved life work balance.

The working environment as we know it, has significantly changed in recent years. Advances in digital technology and remote and hybrid work becoming the norm, businesses are adjusting and adapting their day-to-day operations.

Businesses are looking for new ways to engage and motivate their team through workplace wellbeing initiatives. Welcoming workers back to the office, aiming to boost team morale to build employee happiness.

The health and happiness of employee’s wellbeing, is a vital factor in creating a harmonious working environment. Happy, healthy employees = Productivity

 

 

What is workplace well-being?

Encouraging employee wellbeing is good for the people and the organisation. Promoting wellbeing can help prevent stress and create positive working environments where team members and business can thrive.

Work wellbeing activities can be diverse, particularly with hybrid, office and remote working set ups. They are designed to have positive results; increase engagement, spark creativity, boost productivity, and encourage employee relations. To achieve a successful workplace wellbeing program, schemes can include physical wellbeing, mental wellbeing, and social wellbeing.

 

Why is workplace wellbeing important?

Helping staff to feel physically and mentally healthier can only be beneficial. As well as improving work life for employees, maintaining company wellbeing programmes, conveys a brand that is progressive. Engaged employees know that their work is valued and appreciated. They are less likely to be looking for new jobs, automatically lowering your staff turnover rate and recruitment costs.

Employee wellbeing programs

Employee wellbeing programs have been proven to save companies money by helping to decrease absenteeism and retain talented team members. In turn, naturally increase productivity.

Workplace wellbeing schemes can generate savings across other areas of business. Decreasing HR administration costs and employee turnover. Training new employees takes time and energy from managers and employees. It’s generally agreed that work wellbeing programs, when executed correctly, generate more revenue than they cost to run.

 

How to boost employee wellbeing

Here are some tried and tested ideas, to get you started on your office wellbeing journey.

Mental health initiatives

Mental wellbeing is vital for employee work happiness. Mental health awareness at work can help to improve both the company reputation and staff loyalty. Learning breathing techniques, helps to lower the heart rate, decrease anxiety levels and and improve concentration. This can be an essential tool for both management and employees.

Employers can demonstrate their interest in mental health wellness by including free or discounted therapy sessions, mindfulness or meditation classes. With hybrid working, staff can choose to participate either online or face to face.

 

 

Office massages

Office massage treatments, were once seen as a treat, now seen as an important element to workplace wellbeing. There are numerous benefits of receiving a massage including: Helping to ease muscle tension from laptop & device usage, reduces stress & anxiety, boosts the bodies immune system & aids restful sleep.

Corporate massage is a great addition to any workplace wellbeing strategy and a perfect idea for a company wellness day. In office massage companies such as Team Pamper offer at-work massages with flexible payment schemes for companies and their staff, businesses can pay in full or partly subsidised.

Workplace exercise

Exercise is a great way for employees to let of steam and help relieve stress. From organising a team for netball or football team to arranging classes in the office such as yoga or Pilates. Encouraging staff to partake in physical activity at work is a great way to improve mental wellness at work. Promote a team member/s to lead a lunchtime brisk walk. It’s free and a great way to introduce and sustain a regular exercise routine, helping to develope social interactions and friendships between staff.

 

Provide a fridge

This may seem elementary for some; many workplaces do not have a fridge faciality for their workers. Workplaces offering a fridge space, big enough for each department employees to store their lunch, makes an impact on employee health and wellbeing. Team members can make lunches at home and bring them to work. Often a healthier lunch and saving money from buying lunch out.

Beverages

No office space is complete without the tea and coffee area. Providing a wider selection of hot beverages can have more of an affect that you might think. Giving staff the choice of low caffeine or caffeine free refreshments is inclusive to all. Choose to offer a selection herbal tea such as: green tea peppermint, rooibos & chamomile. A welcoming, healthy addition to your normal tea & coffee area.

Pet-friendly offices

Without a doubt, there was a huge increase of pet ownership over the pandemic period. Our furry chums were a life line that helped us through recent dark times.

Pet-friendly office spaces are a huge selling point for any company. Employees who have pets will have one less thing to worry about by being able to bring them to work, emotionally and financially. If committing to having pets in the office every day does not seem viable, why not nominate one day per month or week, where you allow your staff to bring their animals to work.

 

 

How To Implement Your Workplace Wellbeing Plan

In order for a workplace wellbeing program to be effective, management need to lead the process and involve the team.

Create a simple questionnaire, tick box survey, in house or from an online platform. Give your team options of what wellbeing initiatives they would like to see implemented. From the results create a monthly plan to include the most popular ideas. Example: Book a massage therapist to attend the office monthly or dogs at works day.

Management will need to lead by example, by actively participating in the wellbeing classes & activities.

 

Written By

Charlotte Every

Therapist & Founder

teampamper.com | everybodytherapy.com | theperfectpamper.com