Building a Culture of Wellness In the Workplace
Curious about where to start on building a culture focused on Wellness first? These practical yet straightforward steps are a great place to start!
Start from the top. Leading by example is one of the most important ways to establish a healthy employee environment. Ensure the CEO, department heads, and group/peer leaders champion a healthy lifestyle. Seeing leaders exercise, eat healthy food, and make changes to the environment is a powerful example for other employees. Getting other employees involved becomes much easier when you start at the top.
Encourage movement. Physical activity is a crucial part of individual Wellness. Unfortunately, the typical office doesn't encourage fitness; most involve sitting eight hours daily. To combat the unhealthy effects of a desk job, provide opportunities for employees to become more active. Whether moving the printer down the hallway, turning an unused room into a gym, or bringing in a yoga instructor over the lunch break, many ways exist to encourage more physical activity throughout the day.
Focus on healthy foods. We've all heard the saying, "You are what you eat," which might ring true more in the workplace. What your employees eat provides energy, or lack thereof, and furl to their days at the office; if you want your employees to feel energized, productive, and focused, you'll like them to eat a nutritious, balanced diet that supplies them with the nourishment their bodies need to succeed. Provide employees with the educational tools to learn the importance of eating real food. Replace the vending machine with nuts and fresh fruits, cater to healthy foods, and provide employees with a list of good-for-you to-go options from local restaurants.
Offer flexibility. The strict nine-to-five workday needs to be updated and won't help employers attract or maintain today's top talent. No matter the industry; flexibility is essential to employees and job seekers nationwide. Companies that allow employees flexibility in the form of telecommuting, hybrid work, and unlimited PTO help employees maintain an optimistic work-life harmony. Flexibility can also reduce workplace stress, boost mental well-being, and encourage productivity.
Solve the issue of stress. The American Institute of Stress recently reported that 80% of workers feel pressure on the job, while nearly half say they need help learning how to manage stress, and 42% say their co-workers need such help. Employers that build cultures of wellness work to identify stressful aspects of the office (i.e., workload, inconsistency, lack of clear expectations, etc.), lessen or eliminate those stressors, improve working conditions, and help employees develop the necessary skills to handle stress (i.e., self-confidence, time management, mindfulness, etc.).
Create open channels of communication. Social Wellness is an often-overlooked aspect of the office, and one of the easiest ways to ensure it's a priority is by opening up a dialogue about well-being issues. Employers must create a culture of openness and communication where their staff feels comfortable talking to managers about worries about their work-life balance and stress issues, and leaders should feel comfortable and empowered to help employees address those concerns. By creating those communication channels, you're also helping keep the wellness conversation constantly evolving and promoting an open exchange of ideas. Also, remember to communicate through multiple channels around the office to ensure more employees receive your messages.
Be in the right mindset. Too many wellness programs assume people can change their habits quickly and easily based purely on willpower. Instead of focusing on those negative risk factors and scaring employees into getting on the treadmill, learn how to help them rewire their brains for success. Provide positive reinforcement for healthy behaviors and provide employees with the tools that they need to act and achieve their goals.
Provide emotional and mental health support for your staff. Each year, around 43.8 million Americans experience a mental health condition. Now, more than ever, it's critical to educate employees about resources to avoid burnout and mental breakdowns and reduce suicide risk. Give employees resources and tools from national organizations such as the American Psychiatric Association, The National Alliance on Mental Illness, and Mental Health America. Companies can also develop their initiatives and programs. The more mental health is acknowledged, the less intimidated employees may feel in seeking help.
Offer Professional Development Opportunities. Offering personal and professional development opportunities and the freedom to pursue passions outside the office can positively impact how employees view their work. Employees that feel appreciated will feel like they're getting more than just a paycheck; they will feel valued because the company is investing in their growth. This is especially true for millennials. Statistics show opportunities to learn and grow are uniquely crucial for retaining millennials; close to nine in ten millennials (87%) rate professional or career growth and development opportunities as important to them in a job. Whether through money for continued education, volunteer opportunities, or incentives to inspire new passions, you can give employees the tools to live a well-balanced life, resulting in healthier and happier employees.
Give Employees the "Why ."A sense of belonging is more important in the workplace now than ever. With a sense of purpose, it's easier for employees to connect with their work and company. In addition, working with a sense of purpose and recognition boosts employee motivation, productivity, morale, and overall job satisfaction. For employers to provide meaning to employees, employers should:
· Show recognition!
· Express gratitude!
· Let employees know how their job impacts the company and its clients.
· Frequently discuss the direction, meaning, and value of the company.
· Share customer success stories.
· Ditch tunnel vision and focus on the bigger picture.
Are you excited to start impacting your company's culture and employees' well-being today? Then, schedule a discovery call today to see how Movement 1st Wellness can help your company!
