Practical Applications of Improving Workplace Wellness

High-performing organisations have adopted employee wellness as the cornerstone of their workplace culture, having witnessed a demonstrated history of it equating to a more productive workforce with higher employee retention rates. 

The concept of workplace wellness has evolved over the years, with leaders having come to the realisation that it involves much more than just improving physical health. 

The dimensions of wellness are separated into eight core factors; physical, emotional, social, mental, occupational, financial, environmental, and purposeful. Considering that we spend a third of our lives working, as a leader, it’s important to consider the impact we have on our employees’ experience. 

Implementing an Employee Assistance Programme is a great place to start. An EAP service is a platform that gives employees access to support with personal problems that could adversely impact their work performance. However, offering an EAP service simply to check a box isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution to wellness. Creating a fully comprehensive wellness methodology requires acknowledging and adhering to the eight aforementioned dimensions, with the output contributing to improved engagement, generating a greater sense of purpose, higher productivity rates and job role satisfaction.

Here’s a few handy tips for improving workplace wellness:

– Providing workshops that focus on communication and leadership
– Stress management: flexible start and finish times, becoming a dog-friendly workspace,
– Team socials: either on or offsite, encouraging your team to create interpersonal relationships with their peers outside of work
– On-site exercise classes that promote fitness or mindfulness, like yoga or meditation
– Diverse working spaces: No one wants to be at a desk all day. Consider creating comfy spaces to break up the routine