The link between employee well-being and a positive workplace culture
We keep hearing in the media that post-pandemic, employees are leaving workplaces that no longer align with their personal belief system. Subsequently, they are moving to companies that show concern for employee well-being. This is not just in the form of benefit packages, but also connected with the alignment of company culture and leadership that demonstrates a real and authentic concern for employees.
Positive Company Culture has the capability to make sure that employees stay fulfilled and engaged in their jobs. This can be extremely beneficial in a competitive hiring environment. People are much more likely to apply for jobs and accept an offer if the company culture is one that promotes flexibility, supports employee learning and development, and offers good work-life balance.
A positive culture should entail:
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Supportive Environment - Leaders who care and offer compassion in times of need are genuinely interested in their employees’ wellbeing.
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Good Communication – Leaders who are accessible, give clear frequent feedback on performance and foster an environment for employees to communicate with each other in a respectful and collaborative way.
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Opportunities to develop – Establishing good training programs for both on and off the job, setting personal development objectives, and giving opportunities for employees to use any new knowledge and skills.
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Team Collaboration – Employees will thrive if given the opportunity to work collaboratively in teams, which promotes improved innovation, performance, and engagement.
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Understanding the company culture and values - It is so important to communicate and demonstrate the company culture and values consistently. They should be woven into every element, action and decision the company makes.
This will benefit the company by:
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Engaging the workforce – feeling more valued when their needs (including financial, physical, and mental) are met which leads to satisfied and more competent employees
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Improving retention– happy employees will want to stay and develop their careers with your company into the future.
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Reducing absenteeism – if your employees feel physically and mentally supported by the company then they will be healthier and less likely to be absent from work.
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Improving productivity - when employees are feeling good, they display healthier behaviors and better decision-making.
Tips and guidance on developing a company well-being program
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Arrange for on-site lunch and learn seminars on different topics i.e. mindfulness, meditation.
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Promote healthy lifestyles – Reflect this in your culture, posting information about sports activities and events. Provide workers with health screenings, healthy snacks, fruit, and water.
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On-site facilities that encourage fitter lifestyles
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Workout space for stretching, yoga mats, meditation area or a gym that employees can use. Showers and bike parking bays will encourage employees to cycle to and from work.
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Create fun incentives and challenges
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Reward and challenge your employees with healthy competition and motivation to improve their fitness. For example, prize for highest step count at the end of each month, or a day’s vacation for the most workouts recorded.
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Lead by example
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Using a top-down approach, employees see that leadership embraces fitness activities. This could include sharing their physical health activities, goals, and challenges and participating in team challenges.
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Participate in local sport leagues and events
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Get a company team together to train for annual 5K run or soccer match in your local area.
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Provide third party support - Employee Assistance Program and/or other community resources.
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Look at work-life balance working arrangements – Provide remote working, flexible time options, additional vacation days, and sabbatical options.
It is worth investing in providing a positive culture that people want to be a part of as this in turn will improve employee satisfaction through a strong and supportive culture that can reduce the costs of recruiting, training new hires and will improve morale and overall performance.