There are a number of reasons why businesses should have a proactive approach to the ongoing well-being of their employees. Such a consideration is not only for the benefit of an employee, which is often an obligation under company duty of care guidelines but also for the employer who, among other reasons, will be rewarded with a productive workforce.
Following the international health crisis, as well as in the midst of rising energy and food costs, employee wellbeing becomes a greater challenge, with increased stress occurring outside the workplace and inevitably affecting workplace morale. To bring benefits to both parties, we’re sharing four ways businesses can improve their employees’ wellbeing.
Workplace Counselling
One of the most direct ways a business can support its employees is with workplace counselling. In addition to the cost of seeking mental health support, it can be difficult to arrange counselling sessions around a work schedule. By establishing support services in the workplace, employees will not only have access to high-quality counselling services but a workplace will destigmatise mental ill-health.
Removing the stigma around mental health is beneficial to employers because many employees are inclined to disguise mental issues as physical ailments feeling that they can’t otherwise be open. As such, businesses that offer workplace counselling generally see a reduction in sick days taken by employees.
Financial Reliability
Salary is, for many employees, a defining aspect of their work. In addition to ensuring that it is delivered reliably, salary prospects and bonuses should be discussed with transparency. Many companies work hard to ensure that their payroll services meet the needs of their employees, giving them independent and digital access to their salary information. While, alongside this service, business leaders can outline the prospective for raises, serving to encourage employees and show the potential for growth within the company.
Extra Curriculum
Cultivating a culture of development within the workplace, one that also supports team bonding, promotes a positive environment. Employees who are encouraged to join in extracurricular activities or feel that they are being invested in fun experiences, whether excursions or events, are more likely to feel positive about their role, as well as committed to a company over the long term.
By establishing such a workplace, businesses are also able to attract outside talent and use their internal benefits to draw in new and high-qualified employees.
Monitor Hours
Historically, businesses have treated remote working with suspicion. It was believed that, given the opportunity to work from home, employees would slack off. However, what has become clear is that employees are more likely to overwork themselves when working remotely. This manifests as attending to tasks and emails outside of general working hours and committing to more hours than a contract states.
While this might seem like a positive benefit to employers, it actually leads to employees overworking themselves and, as a result, gradual burnout and decreased productivity. It is, as such, important that employers monitor their employees’ hours and ensure breaks are taken.
Infographic created by UST, Experts in Managing Human Resources for Nonprofits