How to Achieve Workplace Wellbeing

Workplace well-being is a holistic approach to creating high performance organizations through establishing the right workplace conditions to generate high levels of employee engagement. It assumes that achieving high levels of organizational performance depends on employees who are strongly committed to achieving the goals of the organization, and who show this through their actions. This behavioural objective is influenced in turn by levels of employee satisfaction, and by supportive, respectful and healthy work environments. Workplace well-being is connected to physical health and wellness but primarily emphasizes the social and psychological dimensions of three inter-related elements - workplace, workforce, and the work people do.

There is a way where you can springboard your employees into happiness and make them care for your business, however it doesn’t happen overnight. Here are few of the steps to create a workplace wellbeing culture

Educate your managers

Managers need to be able to understand the benefits that a happy workforce can bring to the table. Install this culture and thought process into your managers and you’re half way there. On average managers maintain more active relationships with lower level employees, and can influence employees to change daily habits and behaviours.

Invest in your managers

Emotional intelligence can play a vital role in shifting a business’s culture. Train your managers to identify and assess emotions so that they can create a positive environment for employees. Managers who can help recognise and maximise an employee’s qualities can use this for the greater good of the team, strengthening the group as a whole.

Create feedback loops

All employees express themselves differently. Managers need to be able to understand this and use their employees’ preferred method. A way to achieve this can be by installing a feedback loop within your business that allows your employees to confide in managers, regardless of the issue.

Socialise more

Encourage socialising among your employees. If you enjoy who you work with, you’re more than likely to work better together. Social aspects of work are key ingredients for workplace happiness. Increase working in teams, and champion face to face interaction as a replacement for office emails.

Provide workplace benefits that matter

A little goes a long way. Workplace benefits that don’t cost a fortune can be some of the most rewarding. Offer incentives such as having 1 hour extra for lunch, finish early on Friday, and even giving the morning or afternoon off. This obviously has to be calculated and be offered as a reward for when your employees have gone above and beyond their job description.  Use this as an alternative to financial rewards.

Accept responsibility and introduce accountability for all employees

No business goes without conflicts and internal disputes. This can be the nail in the coffin for some workplace wellbeing initiatives. Through management level accepting responsibility and fellow employees being held accountable for their work output, whenever conflicts arise it can be diffused with minimal confusion. Undertaking this initiative is imperative to secure the long term success of your business’s culture and ensuring they’re happy at work.

Take an interest in your employees well-being

Whether an employee has been on holiday, or been off ill for a period of time, take interest in what’s of interest to them. This way you make your employees know that you are caring for them and their interests. Workers need to feel valued; if you do this they will be sure to return the favour.

Location Location Location!

How far away are you from your workforce? Do you have communal areas? Do you have a pleasant outside area, plenty of free parking, someone locally where workers can go for a walk at lunchtime, or stroll to the shops? The location of your business can make a huge difference to the wellbeing of your workforce.