Workplace wellbeing is an important factor when it comes to creating a healthy work environment for employees. While many studies have shown that promoting wellbeing can help prevent stress and create a work environment where employees can fully thrive, many businesses still struggle to place mental health and wellbeing at the forefront.
Fostering employee wellbeing in the workplace has some great benefits, not only for employees but also for businesses as a whole. So let’s have a look at what workplace wellbeing is and why it’s important.
What is workplace wellbeing and why is it important?
Workplace wellbeing relates to all aspects of an employee’s working life. This includes the quality and safety of their physical environment, work environment and how safe and secure an employee feels about their work in general. Workplace wellbeing and mental health is important because it ensures that workers are not only satisfied at work but also highly engaged in their day-to-day activities.
Essentially, it’s every employer’s responsibility to create a workplace where employees feel safe and are able to communicate any challenges or difficulties they face, whether these are personal or work related.
Benefits of workplace wellbeing
Employee retention
Employers who create a healthy and safe work environment for their workers generally experience lower staff turnover than those who simply ignore it. It’s important for organisations to demonstrate that they generally care about the health and wellbeing of their workers. Employees who feel valued and listened to have a stronger sense of loyalty and are more committed to their work. Those suffering from burnout and stress, without receiving the proper support, are most likely to look for a new job.
Increased productivity and engagement
Another great benefit of workplace wellbeing is that it helps to increase productivity and staff engagement. Employers who genuinely care about the mental health and wellbeing of their workers also tend to see an increase in productivity. In fact, 95% of employees who claim to be highly engaged at work feel listened to by their manager, because their ideas and feedback are taken into consideration – which also demonstrates that manager plays a significant role when it comes to employee engagement.
Reduction in sick leave and employee absence
People are less likely to be habitually absent from work due to work related ill-health such as stress if they feel heard by their employer. Unrealistic expectations, deadlines and workload can put a large amount of stress on employees. It’s important that employers support and encourage their workers to speak up when they feel overwhelmed by their work duties.
Stronger employer branding and reputation
Companies that put employee mental health and wellbeing at the forefront of their culture generally attract the best talent. Those who ignore it are often left with negative reviews and experiences from past employees. This makes it hard to attract the right talent and can also increase recruitment costs.
In addition to that, this can negatively impact a company’s brand reputation and the overall growth of the business. Essentially, happy employees are more likely to recommend the company they work for to their network.
