What makes your business successful? Is it the product you sell? The service you provide? Or the hard work and dedication of your employees?
If you said yes to any of the above, you’re right! But there’s one more important ingredient to a successful business – healthy and happy employees.
Healthy employees are more productive, have more energy, and take fewer sick days. So when you invest in employee health and wellbeing, you’re signing up for a whole host of benefits for your business.
But what are some concrete ways to ensure that your employees are doing well? Let’s check them out.
Promote Self Care:
It’s not typical for an organization to prioritize self-care. Between meeting deadlines and managing top clients, it can feel like there’s no time for anything else.
Most managers and business owners don’t realize that an exhausted employee is as productive as a sick one. To perform at their best, employees must take care of themselves physically and mentally.
As an effective leader, you must encourage your team to prioritize their health. Promote healthy habits like regular exercise, proper nutrition, and enough sleep. Lead by example and ensure you’re taking care of yourself!
Frequent Screening and Check-Ups:
How often do you arrange for your employees to have their health checked? If you’re like most businesses, the answer is probably not often enough.
Health screenings and check-ups can help catch problems early before they turn into bigger issues. Ensure you’re providing opportunities for your team to get their yearly physicals and screenings.
You can hire an occupational nurse to come in regularly or set up an appointment with a local clinic. Before you finalize which option is best for your business, compare costs and services.
Generally, an occupational nurse’s salary will be more expensive than a clinic, but they can offer more comprehensive care.
Encourage Breaks:
In the age of technology, we are constantly “on.” We are available 24/seven thanks to our smartphones and laptops. While this connectivity has its perks, it also means that we never really disconnect from work. However, there’s a fine line between working hard and burning out.
As an employer, it’s important to encourage your team to take mental and physical breaks. These breaks can also become a team-bonding opportunity. For example, you can start a company-wide fitness challenge or host monthly game nights.
And when it comes to vacation days, ensure your employees are using them!
Create a Positive Work Environment:
How would you rate your work environment? Is it positive, negative, or neutral? If you said anything other than positive, it’s time to make some changes.
A positive work environment is a key to employee happiness and retention. One effective way is by opening the channels of communication. Make sure your employees feel comfortable coming to you with problems, concerns, and suggestions.
Another way to create a positive work environment is by fostering a culture of appreciation. Show your employees that you value their hard work and dedication.
Provide Ergonomic Workspaces:
An ergonomic workspace is a comfortable and safe workplace designed to reduce strain on the body and minimize injuries, which may cause your employees to hire a personal injury lawyer if any serious injuries occur.
Since your employee is investing between 34 and 40 hours of their week at work, they may suffer from some type of work-related strain or injury. It is where ergonomics steps in. By making simple changes to the workplace, you can create a safer and more comfortable environment for your team.
Start by assessing the ergonomics of your office. Are the chairs comfortable? Is the lighting adequate? Do employees have enough space to move around?
Once you’ve identified the areas that need improvement, make the necessary changes. Your team will thank you for it!
Discounted Gym Membership:
A healthy lifestyle isn’t just about eating right and exercising. It’s also about having a positive outlook and managing stress.
One way to help your employees lead a healthy lifestyle is by providing a discounted gym membership. This benefit can help them relieve stress, get in shape, and feel better overall.
If your company doesn’t have a gym membership budget, other options are available. You can start a walking or running club or host yoga or meditation classes at your office. Trust us; you’ll notice a significant difference in your team’s energy and mood!
Be Flexible:
Do you often receive requests for flexible work hours? If so, you’re not alone. In today’s workforce, more and more employees seek a better work-life balance. And, now that the possibility of working from home has surfaced, the demand for flexible work arrangements has increased.
As an employer, it’s important to be open to change and willing to accommodate your team’s needs. If an employee has a valid reason for wanting to work from home, let them! You may be surprised by how much they can accomplish outside the office.
If working from home doesn’t match your company culture, you have other options. You can offer flexible start and end times or allow employees to take advantage of paid time off when needed.
Prioritize Mental Health:
Mental health is still taboo in many workplaces. Employees fear judgment, discrimination, and losing their jobs. It prevents them from seeking help. As a result, mental health issues often go unnoticed and untreated.
It needs to become a priority.
There are several ways you can support your employees’ mental health. One way is by offering free or discounted counseling services. You can also host workshops and educational sessions on stress management, healthy coping mechanisms, and goal setting.
Creating a safe and supportive environment is essential for employees to feel comfortable seeking help. If you notice an employee struggling, reach out and offer your support. Sometimes, all it takes is a conversation to make a difference.
Improve Working Conditions:
When was the last time you got the air vents cleaned? How about the carpets? If it’s been a while, don’t be surprised at the lethargic attitudes and increased sick days.
Research shows that a clean and well-maintained office can positively impact employee health and wellbeing. It can also improve productivity and morale.
So, if you want a healthy and happy team, start by improving the working conditions. Hire a professional cleaning service, invest in some new office furniture, and make sure the temperature is comfortable. It’s also a good idea to allow some natural light and fresh air into the office.
Final Thoughts:
You may believe otherwise, but your employees are your most valuable asset. They polish your company’s image, interact with customers, and contribute to your bottom line. So, if you want your financial statements to look good, you need to take care of your team.
Investing in employee health and wellbeing is a smart business move. Not only will it save you money in the long run, but it will also improve your company’s reputation. Plus, the relationship of trust and respect you build with your team will be invaluable.
Start now!
Iskra Banović is our seasoned Editor-in-Chief at Blufashion. She has been steering the website’s content and editorial direction since 2018. With a rich background in fashion design, Iskra’s expertise spans across fashion, interior design, beauty, lifestyle, travel, and culture.
