Employee Wellbeing: Are You Maximizing The Benefits It Promises You?

Employee wellbeing is not just a caring consideration employers extend to their workers. It has evolved to become a key corporate responsibility, critical in improving employee engagement, retention and productivity. But is your organisation’s wellbeing programme all that it should be? Is it reaping the maximum benefits it should be?

The idea that employee wellbeing has more to offer than just creating a healthier workforce is not new, with several studies over the last decade highlighting the positive impact it has on everyday business operations.

Organisations are now rethinking their reward systems to include holistic wellbeing programmes. The problem is that a significant gap exists between what companies typically offer their employees in the form of wellbeing initiatives and what employees value and expect.

The Overwhelmed Employee

In their 2014 Human Capital Trends report, Deloitte described the “overwhelmed employee” as dedicated personnel who struggled to keep up with the demands of the modern business.

“While the issue of highly stressed workers is not new, the relentless pace of business today has made the problem worse,” the report read.

“ always-on nature of digital business and 24/7 working styles, studies now show that more than 40% of all workers face high stress in their jobs, negatively affecting their productivity, health, and family stability.”

As the pace of work has risen, and pressure on employees has intensified, the absence or inclusion of an effective wellbeing programme is the factor that can very literally make or break your workplace. So much so, that 66% of US-based companies now agree that wellbeing programmes are a critical part of their employment brand and culture.

Wellbeing Trends

The range of wellbeing programmes is extensive, but organizing a Strategic Employee Wellness Calendar rather than ad hoc initiatives, helps to provide structure. And get it right and the boost to productivity can be considerable.

In 2017, a study by the University of California Riverside revealed that all employees who had participated in one wellness program improved productivity an average of one full workday per month.

Here are just 5 of the top wellbeing programme trends worth adopting.

1. Office Fitness Programmes– Easy to introduce and run, fitness programmes can range from a simple desk-side ‘sit-stand’ exercise to professionally run yoga classes and stress management courses. Better for life balance, personal health and work productivity.
2. Financial Development– Since so much stress is rooted in financial insecurity, financial education programmes provide employees with tools they need to manage both their short- and long-term financial futures.
3. ‘Improv’ Training– Improvised comedy and acting can be fun, but it also exercises the brain, benefiting employee mindfulness, confidence, public speaking and more. And because laughter is also involved, it is hugely effective in reducing stress and building relationships.
4. Snooze-Friendly Policies– It’s no secret that sleep is important when it comes to employee productivity. In fact, studies suggest lack of sleep costs the US economy $1 billion annually. Encouraging 20-minute power naps in the afternoon can boost alertness and performance.
5. Purpose Boosting– Engaging employees in charity work and educational development programs can see productivity grow. Giving something back boosts an employee’s sense of purpose.

At Orangeworks, we offer a range of Wellness Team building and Development experiences that ensure your team know how to focus on their health while at work. Get in touch to get started on your team’s wellbeing programme.