The Benefits of Wellbeing in the Workplace: Why it Matters & Practical Tips

Did you know that employee wellbeing and wellness is now a recognised factor in organisational success? In fact, many businesses are starting to see the importance of health and wellbeing in the workplace and are implementing programmes and policies to promote it. This is because when employees feel good mentally and physically, they are more productive and motivated. In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of employee wellbeing in the workplace, the benefits of workplace wellbeing and why it is important for businesses to invest in it.

Why is Employee Wellness Important?

Why is health and wellbeing important in the workplace? The answer lies in the huge impact it has on both individuals and organisations. When employees are physically and mentally healthy, they are more productive, engaged, and motivated. This directly contributes to the overall success and performance of a business. The importance of wellbeing in the workplace cannot be overstated, as it creates a positive work environment where employees feel valued and supported.

The importance of workplace wellbeing extends to reducing absenteeism and turnover rates, saving companies money in the long run and creating a culture of loyalty and commitment. By prioritising employee wellbeing and wellness, businesses not only enhance their workforce's health and happiness but also achieve sustainable growth and success. 

Additionally, a healthy workplace can help to attract top talent. When job candidates are considering multiple offers, they will often choose the company that offers the best staff wellness benefits. As a result, investing in wellness and wellbeing in the workplace can have a major impact on your bottom line.

Why is Work-Life Balance Important for Wellbeing?

Work-life balance is essential for wellbeing because it allows employees to maintain a healthy divide between their professional and personal lives. When people have the time and flexibility to take care of their personal needs and responsibilities, they feel less stressed and more satisfied both at work and home. This balance helps them recharge, making them more focused and productive when they return to work. Maintaining a good work-life balance supports mental and physical health, reducing the risk of burnout and stress-related illnesses.

The negative effects of stress in the workplace

Workplace stress can have a number of negative effects on employees, including decreased productivity, increased absenteeism, and higher levels of anxiety, depression and insomnia. In fact, studies have shown that workplace stress is one of the leading causes of job dissatisfaction. When employees are under constant stress, they are less able to focus on their work and are more likely to make mistakes. Furthermore, stress can also lead to burnout, a condition characterised by physical and emotional exhaustion. Burnout can have serious consequences, including impaired immune function and an increased risk for heart disease. Therefore, it is important for employers to provide a supportive working environment and to promote healthy coping strategies for employees who are experiencing stress. 

How to identify signs of stress in employees

As the world increasingly moves at a faster pace, it's no surprise that more and more people are reporting feeling stressed at work. While a certain amount of stress can be motivating, too much stress can lead to burnout and poor performance. As an employer, it's important to be able to identify the signs of stress in your employees so that you can address the issue before it becomes a bigger problem.

One of the most common signs of stress is increased absenteeism. If an employee who normally never misses a day suddenly starts taking more sick days or calling in late, it may be a sign that they are struggling to cope with the demands of their job. Another sign to look out for is a change in attitude. An employee who is normally upbeat and positive may become withdrawn or negative if they are feeling overwhelmed by their work. Finally, they may start to show signs of physical stress, such as headaches or fatigue.

If you notice any changes in an employee's behaviour, it's important to have a conversation with them to see if there is anything you can do to help relieve their stress.

Ways to Improve Employee Wellbeing

Here are a few ideas to improve employee wellbeing:

• Flexible Work Schedules: Allow employees to adjust their work hours to better fit their personal lives, reducing stress and enhancing work-life balance.
• Wellness Programmes: Implement workplace wellbeing programmes that promote physical health, such as gym memberships, yoga classes, or walking clubs.
• Mental Health Support: Provide access to mental health resources, including counselling services, stress management workshops, and mental health days.
• Healthy Work Environment: Create a workplace that promotes health, with ergonomic furniture, healthy snacks, and clean, well-ventilated spaces.
• Professional Development: Offer opportunities for career growth and skill development, which can increase job satisfaction and motivation.
• Recognition and Rewards: Regularly acknowledge and reward employees for their hard work and achievements to boost morale and motivation.
• Encouraging Breaks: Promote regular breaks throughout the day to help employees recharge and maintain productivity.
• Work-Life Balance Initiatives: Support initiatives that help employees balance their work and personal lives, such as remote work options and family-friendly policies.

Implementing wellbeing initiatives in the workplace

In a competitive marketplace, businesses are increasingly focused on attracting and retaining top talent. One way to achieve this goal is by implementing wellbeing initiatives in the workplace. Wellbeing programs in the workplace can help employees to manage stress, improve their physical health, and achieve a better work-life balance. In addition, these programs can also boost employee morale and productivity. As a result, wellbeing initiatives can be a valuable asset for any business. There are a number of different ways to implement wellbeing initiatives in the workplace. For example, businesses can offer wellness classes or promote healthy lifestyle choices among employees. Additionally, businesses can provide employees with access to mental health services or create wellness and wellbeing in the workplace workplace policies that support work-life balance. By taking steps to support the wellbeing of their employees, businesses can create a healthier and more productive workforce.

The cost-effective benefits of employee wellbeing programmes

According to a recent study, workplace wellbeing programmes can offer a cost-effective way to improve employee health and productivity. The study, which was conducted by the University of Michigan, found that for every dollar invested in wellbeing programs, companies saw an average return of $3.27 in savings on healthcare costs and absenteeism. In addition, the study found that employees who participated in employee wellbeing programmes were more productive, missed less work, and had lower rates of burnout.

While the upfront cost of implementing a workplace wellbeing programme may be daunting for some companies, the long-term benefits and importance of wellbeing at work are clear. Not only will such employee and organisational wellness programmes help to improve employee health and morale, but they will also lead to increased productivity and decreased healthcare costs. In today's competitive business environment, those are benefits that any company can appreciate.

Measuring the success of a workplace wellbeing program

Wellbeing programmes in the workplace are designed to improve employees' health and well-being. While the benefits of health and wellbeing in the workplace are evident, measuring their success can be challenging. One way to measure the success of a workplace wellbeing program is to track changes in employee health over time. This can include tracking changes in absenteeism, illness rates, and health care costs. Another way to measure the success of a workplace wellbeing program is to survey employees before and after the program is implemented. This can help to gauge employees' perceptions of their own health and well-being, as well as their satisfaction with the program itself. By tracking these indicators, employers can get a clear sense of whether their workplace wellbeing program is making a positive impact.

Employee Wellbeing Programmes from Mindful Remedies

The Mindful Remedies Employee Wellbeing Programme is quite unique! Mindful Remedies is run by Lucy Edwards, a Bach flower practitioner and ex marketing executive. She understands the stresses and anxieties that work can bring and is a bit supporter of trying to achieve work-life balance and a harmonious working environment. Now as a Bach flower practitioner, she works with clients to identify and manage their emotions and create individualised flower remedies to match each person's emotions.

If you've never heard of Bach flower remedies, you may have heard of Rescue Remedy. This is made of 5 flower remedies but there are actually 38 flower remedies in the system, each relating to a different emotion. They're completely natural, safe and gentle and a positive way to help people manage their emotions.

An Employee Wellness Benefits Programme would usually take the form of one-on-one personal consultations with individual employees. This can be done in person or over Zoom, location dependent. The remedy is then posted out to the individual.

We also offer the ability to send personalised wellness gifts. This can be done in the form of a gift card for employees to self select their own remedy or we can send out a Bach flower remedy quiz and from there, employees select the remedies they think would work for them.

Please do get in touch if you'd like to find out more and discuss what an employee wellness in the workplace programme might look like for you and discover for yourself the importance of health and wellness in the workplace.