Over 90% of US employees believe it’s important to work for a company that values employee health and well-being. Despite this statistic, many workers think their bosses fall short. If you run a business, it’s hugely beneficial to champion and promote good health in the workplace. There are multiple ways to support your team, lower the risk of stress, burnout, poor physical health, and absenteeism, improve morale, and boost retention rates. Here are some practical steps you can take today.
Understand what your employees want
When it comes to employee well-being and health, you must first understand what your employees want. Talk to your employees, collect feedback, analyze survey and poll data, and be prepared to learn from other businesses or organizations. Clear communication can help you design and implement a program that truly meets their needs. You will be able to develop and implement relevant policies and guidelines, modify your employee benefits package, and cater to your team’s preferences.
Be Flexible
Flexibility is one of the most important factors for modern-day employees. This may include staggering start times, remote or telework when needed. Increasing flexibility can help you free up more time for your team, enable them to enjoy a better work-life balance, and cut down commuting and travel time.
Encourage healthy lifestyle choices
Employers are not responsible for the lifestyle choices their employees make, but they can be influential. Simple things like providing healthy snacks and meals, access to water dispensers, encouraging workers to take regular breaks and get fresh air, and offering incentives to exercise can make a big difference. Research office pantry services and review cafeteria menus to make it easy to access fresh, nutritious foods. Explore benefits such as reduced gym membership fees or on-site access to leisure facilities. It’s also a great idea to think about innovative ways to boost well-being, such as organizing walking meetings. Spending time in nature and moving your body have amazing benefits and can be great morale and productivity boosters.
Invest in training and education
Poor mental health is one of the most common causes of employee absence, yet many employers and managers don’t know how to deal with it. Studies show that 1 in 5 US adults has a mental illness. Investing in training and education can help you create an environment that actively reduces risks and ensures those who need help or advice have the relevant support. From mental health first aid courses to workshops designed to help individuals manage stress or boost their mood, it’s beneficial to look for options for yourself, your management team, and your employees. If you would like more information about the stress management and team building workshops we offer, please let us know.
Ensure you are approachable
If you have an active role within your business and you lead your team, it’s crucial that you are approachable. If your employees are struggling with their health, they should feel confident talking to you and being open about their symptoms or concerns. Often, it’s much more difficult to talk about mental health conditions than physical problems because there’s a stigma attached to mental illness. As an employer, you can break down barriers and change the narrative. Make time for group and individual meetings and catch-ups, listen, and research ways to support your employees.
When your time is strong and healthy, your business can flourish. While you focus on your team’s health and well-being, don’t forget to take care of yourself, too! Here’s to your success.
Carolyn R. Owens has over 25 years of experience and over 5,000 hours of proven experience serving as a Career Strategist, Leadership Coach, and Mentor Coach. She is the Chairwoman and CEO of Infinity Coaching, Inc., which helps you up-level your skills so you can up-level your income. Infinity Coaching, Inc. provides one-on-one and group coaching, organizational training, and personality assessments. Carolyn is certified to give the Energy Leadership Index, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), DISC, Emotional Intelligence, and Leadership Circle Profile assessments. You can learn more about assessments and other products and services at https://infinitycoaching.net.
