It is no secret that workplaces can be stressful. In addition to multiple personalities trying to get along and make a company grow, there are deadlines to contend with, and do your share to move the company forward. That is why many employees use sick days when they aren’t ill, just to maintain a semblance of sanity. It is also why some employees work until their bodies are deteriorating without taking a break. Continue reading to discover ways businesses can make workspaces safe and prioritize wellness and health.
One of the major benefits of prioritizing health and wellness among employees is to boost employee morale. Doing that is beneficial to keep employees aligned with the company’s goals and make them understand their role in meeting those goals. There are also other benefits to encouraging employee wellness and health. Some of those are:
- It increases productivity
- It improves employee health
- It improves employee engagement
There are multiple ways that companies can make workspaces better and prioritize employee wellness and health. Read on to find out.
Make Use of the Office Breakroom
Don’t make your breakroom a sterile space that is only used to make a cup of coffee. You don’t want it to be one where employees walk on eggshells because they don’t want to run into co-workers. Instead, make it warm and inviting and a place where employees feel comfortable sitting with co-workers and eating or drinking. As a leader in the company, do things to make it a functional space. Layout donuts and cookies occasionally. Have pizza or potluck for lunch on Fridays.
Encourage Exercise
It is no secret that sitting at a desk or living a sedentary lifestyle is unhealthy. It promotes weight gain and other illnesses. Company leadership that encourages exercise during work hours shows employees that you care about their health. Some tips for encouraging exercise are:
- Allow 30 minutes during work time for walking.
- Sponsor employees in 5K walk.
- Pay a portion of employee gym memberships.
Encourage Rest
With more employees working from home, it is not surprising to receive emails at 1 or 2 am when you know they’ve been working all day. When that happens, leadership must let those employees know that is not an acceptable work culture. That will let employees know that you value their time and want a good work/life balance. Working late into the night is not making good time off unless there are pressing deadlines. Encourage your employees to work regular hours and rest when they can.
Promote Social Distancing and Safe COVID-19 Office Set Up Precautions
If your office has resumed in-person work, finding ways to keep employees safe should be your number one priority. Separating workspaces with modular furniture and setting up office workstation cubicles has grown in popularity to keep employees safe. These setups include glass partitions and walls to protect co-workers from the germs that can spread as a result of sitting close together. In addition, give employees longer breaks so that the cleaning staff has time to clean offices during the day. They don’t have to do a full clean, instead, simply spraying offices with disinfectant will help control illnesses.
Vaccination Drive
As we see with Covid 19, although getting vaccinated is crucial to maintaining good health, it is not always convenient or readily available. Therefore, working with your local health department to set up a vaccination clinic in the office is a great way to encourage employees to get vaccinated. It would be even better if you could have a medical care worker speak to your employees about the benefits of vaccination.
Invest in Ergonomic Workstations
There is no better use of company money than setting up ergonomic workstations. That includes stands to rest the wrists when typing, mats designed for long periods of standing, and even standing desks to avoid the hazards of sitting all day.
Invest in Health Coaching and Office Therapy
Having a wellness program with professional coaches and therapists to come in to speak to your staff is a great way to show your concern for their well-being. It can be as little as once per quarter and fit into a time of the year. Challenge staff to consider implementing what the coaches say into their daily lives.
As you have read, employee health and safety are essential to functioning correctly. Therefore, company leadership must do everything they can to prioritize employee well-being.
