As most of us spend major part of our lives at work, it affects our mental and physical health. A good work environment is very important to ensure stay healthy and happy. Most individuals believe that work detracts their happiness. They are happier on weekends and during holidays, but as soon as they have to go back to work, their life merely becomes stressful.
Now, nothing determines the success of a business more than a healthy and happy work force. This is the reason why employee health and well-being must be the center attention for any business organization. For this, the first step for any business should be to build a culture of employee well-being in the office.
According to Jack Wilson from Trafficora company, “If you are looking for a long term growth in your business, then it is vital for you to ensure that your employees are able to do their work with free mind. If they are unhappy, or are under too much stress, then they will not be able to perform to their best potentials. Eventually they might even consider changing the work place, leading to bigger attrition problems in business.”
Building an employee well-being culture
It is very important for every business organization to regularly assess and re-design their workplace culture, in order to ensure employee well-being. The culture should be strategically planned, and managed with timetables, objectives and accountabilities. Here is a step by step guide on how to build a strong and positive employee well-being culture at workplace…
Step 1: Assess the present culture
Before starting the planning of a new culture, it is important to assess the present one and see the damages it has caused over the period of time. Understand how the current culture encouraged and discouraged employee well-being.
Consider points like availability of employees for 24/7, unstated discouragement towards taking leaves and vacations, hard hearted managers, low wages, and every point which discourages the employee to work harder. Conduct surveys, and talk to your employees to understand their small and big issues and concerns. Try to understand their struggles and demands.
Step 2: Involve employees in designing new workplace culture
A well-being culture is after all for the benefits of the employees, and thus involving them is extremely crucial. This will ensure that the culture you are bringing in is appropriate and appreciated by all the employees. Also, it will give a sense of ownership to the employees. If employees are constantly stressed out (which they usually are), consider adding resiliency training in the program. Also, if depression is widespread amongst your workforce, talk with the managers and try to remove stigma, as well as encourage timely and effective treatment.
Step 3: Change evaluation criteria for managers
It is not always the employees who quit their jobs, sometimes even their manager do the same. Try to incorporate training programs for managers as well, which help them become more understanding towards employees, and thereby become better leaders.
Such programs ensure that your managers more enthusiastic and use positivity to encourage employees to work harder, instead of simply giving them deadlines. However, if your managers are not able to cope up with this change, be prepared to fire them.
Step 4: Encourage internal socialization
Good friendship makes life easy and enjoyable, and thus this should be encouraged at workplaces as well. Give your employees the break and space they need to socialize with each other. Organize a few events every year, and help them connect with each other.
Lastly, remember that once this culture is established, nourishing and maintaining it is extremely important. In fact, make sure that it becomes a permanent thing and not a temporary change.