Understanding Wellbeing: Beyond Physical Health
Wellbeing encompasses comfort, health, and happiness. With a significant portion of life spent at work, workplace wellbeing gains prominence. Amid the ongoing health crisis, prioritising employee wellbeing is more crucial than ever.
Dual Focus: Physical and Mental Wellbeing
Both physical and mental wellbeing are integral, but mental health often faces oversight. Mental health discussions lag due to stigma, with employees being three times more likely to discuss physical health. Approximately three fifths of employees experience mental health issues linked to work.
Maintaining Employee Wellbeing: Practical Steps
Open Communication and Listening:
- Managerial transparency reduces the vulnerability of employees to mental health issues.
- Encourage open dialogue about feelings, creating a supportive environment.
- Establish portals with mental health resources, fostering a culture of shared support.
- Implement an Employee Assistance Programme for assessments, counselling, and follow-up services.
Regular Connection and Check-Ins:
- Increased remote work can lead to isolation; regular check-ins and virtual meetings are vital.
- Combat loneliness by scheduling daily check-ins, team meetings, and informal virtual chats.
- Prioritise team connections to enhance morale and maintain a sense of normalcy.
Creating a Comfortable Environment:
- Designate office spaces for collaboration, providing areas for brainstorming and discussions.
- Incentivize physical health with healthy snacks, gym discounts, and on-site classes like yoga.
- Foster virtual collaboration in remote settings with shared idea portals.
- Disseminate regular newsletters with tips on managing mental and physical health.
- Shift training and development programs online to break monotony and set goals for employees.