Why Employee Well-being Should Be a Business Priority

Building well-being in employees is not only a nice to have, but a direct performance, retention, and a company culture driver. When individuals are mentally and emotionally healthy, they do not present themselves in the same way. They are innovative, involved and inspired.

However, in a case of accumulated stress, the most skilled employees lose concentration and motivation. That is why well-being is not a luxury and it is a strategy.

Good health is not just about physical health. It consists of emotional stability, work-life satisfaction, and mental stability. In the modern society where burnout is silently becoming an epidemic, organizations that care about the well-being of the people are flourishing.

Consider it: when do we actually take the time to check in, not only with a question of, Are you done with that task? but also with a question of How are you doing today? Even basic empathy will create formidable loyalty.

Some practical ways of facilitating the well-being include:

• Promoting non judgmental communication on stress.
• Encouraging flexibility and rests to avoid burnout.
• Rewarding and praising hard work, not only achievements.
• Providing access to mental health or stress management.

Leaders also play a key role. Followers imitate them when they practice healthy behaviors such as taking breaks, setting boundaries, being empathetic. A leader that claims he or she spends an afternoon to recharge makes self-care a strength rather than a weakness.

Productivity is also stimulated by well-being. Employees who are happier are more concentrated, strong-willed, and imaginative. As a matter of fact, research indicates that organizations that invest in the happiness of their employees increase their profitability by up to 21 percent.

And so we all perhaps should think:

• Do we take good care of ourselves as well as we take care of time deadlines?
• Do we support colleagues to cope with their workload prior to burnout?

Let’s talk:

1. What is one of your de-stressing things at work?
2. What will help us make the workplace less stressful and more conducive to mental and emotional well-being?
3. How do you imagine a well work culture would be?