What Is Employee Well-being in the Workplace?
A 2022 Gallup survey found that less than one in four U.S. employees feel strongly that their organization cares about their well-being – the lowest percentage in nearly a decade.
If you want to break away from the majority of employers and reap the benefits of employee well-being initiatives, this blog is for you. We explain the importance of employee health and well-being in the workplace and how you can start promoting wellness at work today.
First, let’s define our terms: What does “employee wellness” mean?
What Does Employee Wellness Mean?
Employee wellness is a term that's gaining increasing attention in today's modern corporate environment, but often, it’s just a buzzword and not a value companies practice. So, what does employee wellness mean?
At its core, employee wellness at work refers to the holistic well-being of employees within an organization. It goes beyond physical health and encompasses mental, emotional, and even social well-being. When these wellness pillars are strong, employees are more likely to be engaged, motivated, and productive at work.
Physical Health
Physical health is the most obvious pillar of employee wellness. It involves encouraging healthy habits like regular exercise, a balanced diet, sufficient sleep, and managing chronic health conditions. Physical well-being directly impacts an employee's energy levels, productivity, and overall health. Companies can promote physical health by providing an on-site gym or paying for employees’ gym memberships, health screenings, and access to healthcare resources.
Mental Health
With the increased likelihood of fully remote workers experiencing anxiety and depression symptoms compared to in-person employees, mental health is a crucial component of employee wellness. Mental health and well-being in the workplace include managing stress, coping with workplace pressures, and maintaining work-life balance. Employers can support mental wellness by offering employee well-being days, stress management workshops, access to counseling services, and creating a supportive work environment.
Emotional Stability
Emotional stability refers to an employee's ability to manage their emotions. It's about feeling emotionally secure at work and off the clock. Emotionally stable employees are better equipped to handle workplace challenges, resolve conflicts with coworkers, and maintain a positive attitude. Organizations can contribute to emotional stability by engaging employees in team-building activities, keeping open communication channels, and recognizing employees' efforts.
Social Well-Being
Social well-being focuses on the relationships and social networks within the workplace. It involves building a sense of community and belonging among employees. This can be achieved through social events, team projects, and collaboration opportunities. Social well-being is important for increasing employee engagement, building camaraderie, and fostering an inclusive workplace culture.
So, when we talk about employee wellness, we're talking about whole-person well-being. It's not just about being physically fit or mentally resilient—it's about nurturing a healthy and supportive work environment that allows employees to thrive in all aspects of their lives.
Now that you have an answer to the question, “What is well-being at work?” you may ask, “Why does employee wellness at work matter?” Well, that's a great question, and we'll explore its significance in the workplace in the next section.
The Importance of Employee Health and Well-being in the Workplace
Prioritizing employee wellness isn’t just beneficial for the employees themselves but also for the overall health of the organization. As we like to say, health is wealth!
Increased Productivity
Healthy employees are productive employees. When employees are physically well, they're more alert, focused, and energetic. Likewise, when their mental and emotional well-being is nurtured, they can perform tasks with greater efficiency, creativity, and motivation. The result? More work is completed in less time.
Reduced Absenteeism
Supporting employee health and well-being in the workplace can significantly reduce absenteeism. When employees have access to a range of resources that support their health, they're less likely to become ill or experience burnout. Fewer sick days mean cost savings for the company and less disruption in workflow.
Talent Attraction and Retention
In today's competitive job market, top talent takes their well-being seriously; a corporate wellness program is a compelling benefit to job seekers. Companies that prioritize employee wellness not only attract the best and brightest but also retain their existing talent. Employees are more likely to stay with a company that cares about their health and offers resources to support it.
Positive Company Culture
A workplace that prioritizes employee health and well-being fosters a positive company culture. Employees who feel their employer genuinely cares about their welfare are more engaged and motivated to produce good work. In turn, it creates a collaborative, productive, and harmonious work environment.
Improved Employee Morale
Prioritizing employee wellness at work sends a powerful message—your employees aren’t just workers but valued individuals. When employees know that their health matters to the company, their morale gets a boost. This heightened morale and loyalty can be a driving force behind greater job satisfaction and a stronger, more cohesive team.
Corporate wellness programs are a great solution for improving employee well-being. These programs create an environment where employees can thrive both personally and professionally. However, if workplace health programs are designed and implemented without respect to employee needs and interests, they’ll fail miserably.
Start Promoting Employee Wellness At Work Today
Some companies take the easy way out, tasking their HR department to find a wellness app as their “employee wellness program.” But well-being apps may do more harm than good. A 2020 study exploring the social dimension of fitness apps on well-being highlighted that apps could lead to an unhealthy obsession with exercise and higher stress levels.
A corporate wellness program managed by a professional employee wellness consultant is a better alternative to apps that may end up undermining employee well-being instead of promoting it.
So, take a minute to think about this: What does employee wellness mean to you?
For some business owners, employee wellness programs are seen as an optional benefit for employees without a clear return on investment for the business. On the other hand, some recognize its value and are eager to support employees in this way but aren’t sure how.
That’s when ProMotion Corporate Wellness comes in.
We create and manage corporate wellness programs that positively impact people and profit. We’ve seen these programs transform organizations time and time again. Whether you’re a believer or a skeptic, we’d love to tell you more about how corporate wellness programs can make a meaningful, measurable difference in your organization.
To learn more about how we guarantee a return on your investment in employee wellness, book a strategy session.
