Workplace culture is an extremely important consideration for any business looking to ensure long term success. Employee retention, satisfaction, and productivity rely upon the quality of a workplace’s atmosphere and environment. The responsibility of such a positive workplace culture falls to the employer and individual employees who do not see efforts being made to cultivate or improve a workplace are soon likely to leave.
To ensure that employees are content in their work, recognising that their wellbeing is considered, has become more complicated. Not only has the international health crisis exacerbated physical and mental health pressures but teleworking practices have also compromised many of the tools businesses had previously put into place prior to the pandemic. Now, at a time when workplace culture and employee wellbeing is under greater strain, it becomes increasingly more difficult for businesses to navigate effective solutions.
Thankfully, a number of businesses are already making great strides to ensure that, no matter what circumstances their employees are operating within, their teams remain happy. We’ve collected five practices that have been demonstrated to support employee wellbeing, even in a post-pandemic environment.
Workplace Counselling
As mental health begins to finally lose its stigma within the workplace, companies are beginning to recognise the challenges that employees face, as well as the cost they have upon productivity, and taking action in the form of workplace counselling. By ensuring that employees have access to mental health support, their wellbeing is not only supported with anonymous, safe sessions, but individuals will also feel valued by the company, leading to improved job satisfaction.
Payroll Services
Payroll is an extremely important department for employers and employees alike. Industry experts, such as People Group Services, continue to reiterate the importance efficient and reliable payroll services have on workplace culture. If employee payments are mishandled or altogether missed, job satisfaction quickly plummets, along with productivity.
Employee Activities
Remote working teams tend to suffer from distance, leading to a growing likelihood of alienation from the business. To remedy this, businesses should continue to offer optional employee activities, allowing teams to engage with each other face-to-face. This not only benefits employee satisfaction but also ensures that effective communication is maintained.
Catch-Up Periods
It is easy to fall into the habit of relying on emails and instant messages for communication. These extensive chains, as well as group video conferences, quickly become overwhelming, which employees will begin to filter as noise. Hosting regular one-on-one meetings between line managers and employees ensures that feelings have a channel to be expressed while simultaneously allowing the two parties to realign their tasks and priorities.
Home Office Support
As remote working operations become ever more common, employees feel the pressure of developing a functional office space within their homes. Unfortunately, not every individual has the ability or means to create such a space, placing them at a professional disadvantage. Businesses that support employees to establish a home office, whether with equipment or financial incentives, are not only ensuring workplace productivity but also employee wellbeing by relieving them of stress.