Companies across the globe are taking stock of how workplace well-being impacts their overall success as we plunge into 2024. Hence, a workforce that is healthy and engaged is no longer on the ‘wish list’ as it were, but is a strategic imperative for driving productivity, retaining top talent, and fostering creativity and innovation. The growing awareness around workplace wellness has given rise to the emergence of wellness programs that lay the foundation for building a healthy, thriving, and more sustainable workplace.
Employee well-being is a top priority for 2024
In 2023, a survey by Forbes and OnePoll revealed that the top New Year’s resolutions included fitness enhancement and weight loss, healthy eating, financial management, and mental health improvement. These trends have extended into 2024, making it vital for businesses to take a more proactive stance in helping their employees reach their wellness goals.
This difference between employee wellness and employee well-being
“Employee wellness” and “employee well-being” are terms that are often used interchangeably. Yet, there are distinct differences between these two ideas. Employee wellness is concerned with physical health which typically involves nutrition, weight management and fitness programs. However, employee well-being involves a more holistic approach, dealing with not only physical health but also taking into account mental and emotional well-being.
Employee well-being is therefore a more inclusive term that embraces many aspects such as career, financial, social, physical, and community well-being. It stretches over and above physical health, taking into account the overall quality of a person’s life and experiences. Those companies that prioritise employee well-being more often than not reap the associated benefits that include higher productivity levels, greater profitability, lower staff turnover rates and fewer safety incidents.
Mental health at the forefront
The Covid-19 pandemic seemingly forever changed the way we work and live. The sudden and dramatic shift to remote work, along with associated uncertainties and anxieties, drastically elevated concerns about the mental health of employees at large. Notwithstanding, exacerbated pre-existing stressors in the workplace, such as heightened performance expectations, heavy workloads, and the inevitable blurring boundaries between work and personal life. Such factors have resulted in increased levels of burnout, anxiety, and depression among employees. Remote working conditions led to a sense of isolation, feelings of loneliness, social disconnection, and an overall perception of loss. Hence, such emotional and social challenges such as these have significantly impacted the mental well-being of employees.
Prioritising mental health is, therefore, a very real concern for organisations worldwide. It is not only a matter of ethical responsibility but is a strategic business imperative that can yield tremendous benefits. Improving employee mental health minimises stress levels, enhances critical thinking and decision-making and improves workplace relationships.
Work-life integration
A work-life integration approach strives to achieve a balance between work and personal life and focuses on the importance of creating synergies between all facets of life, including career, family, personal, and community well-being.
Emotional well-being drives employee engagement
When employees feel respected, valued and supported on an emotional level, they become more engaged, motivated, and dedicated to their work. Prioritising emotional well-being therefore fosters a positive workplace culture where employees feel worthy, appreciated and encouraged to make a meaningful contribution.
Fostering a supportive work culture helps attract and retain top talent
Priorisiting employee well-being reaches beyond measures such as well-being programs and other benefits – the main thrust is towards fostering a supportive work culture. Companies that focus on the well-being of their employees as part of their core values create an environment where employees are comfortable sharing their concerns, seeking help, and prioritising self-care without the fear of retribution. Therefore, a workplace culture that supports the health and well-being of their employees can help to attract and retain top talent since, now more than ever, employees are looking for employers that prioritise their well-being.
Reference sources: Wellics.com
