A recent survey of employees found that a vast majority wish their workplaces incorporated wellness into the workday in a more holistic way. However, that doesn’t just mean a complimentary gym membership or a vending machine stocked with healthy snacks.
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It’s time for employers to get more creative in their approach to employee health. Considering everything from morale to air quality is the best way to create a positive work environment in 2020.
How can you make sure that your employees are healthy and motivated?
Read on for 6 easy-to-follow procedures that will make a long-lasting impact on you and your employees.
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Increase Flexibility
If there’s one thing we’ve learned in 2020 it’s that many of our employees are perfectly capable of working from home. In fact, some employees may find that their focus and productivity increase when they’re granted more flexibility. Having work-from-home days or weeks can improve work-life balance which will make your employees all happier to turn out quality work.
Allowing for more work-from-home days isn’t the only way to increase flexibility. Expand your paid vacation leave to give your employees more time to relax and rejuvenate. In addition, allow for mental health days in addition to traditional sick days.
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Improve Mental Health with Therapy, Meditation Tools, and More
Speaking of mental health, how much do you consider the mental wellbeing of your employees? Chances are you provide a basic benefits package for physical and dental healthcare. What about mental healthcare?
If possible, look into insurance coverage that makes therapy more accessible. Make your office a more open and accepting space to discuss mental and emotional needs. Improve your HR department’s ability to help by sending them to training courses and seminars on workplace mental health.
Even if you can’t afford to expand your insurance package, you may be able to offer mental health tools. Look into things like meditation apps and programs and cover the costs for your employees. Create a private relaxation space in the office where employees can go to meditate and recharge throughout the workday.
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Focus on Indoor Air Quality
Indoor air quality is something we should talk about more. We tend to assume that air pollutants and allergens are an outdoor problem, but the truth is that our indoor air quality could use some work.
Make sure that your HVAC system is up to date. If you can, install air purifiers throughout the office to help remove allergens and other irritants from the air.
During allergy season, don’t just expect your employees to take medication before coming in. Provide them with essential oils for allergies that will boost their immune system and decrease feelings of drowsiness.
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Get Out of the Office
Think outside of the office. If your employees don’t know each other well outside of work, there are fun and easy ways that you can remedy that.
Once or twice a year, host events that allow your employees to bond. Perform volunteer work together, have a picnic in the park, or pay for a meal at a nice local restaurant. When your employees feel a close relationship with one another, the morale at work will improve naturally.
Getting out of the office doesn’t always have to be a production. Sometimes, all people want is to get out of their desk chair and start moving. If you usually meet in the conference room for weekly brainstorming sessions or status updates, consider a change of scenery.
Move your meetings outdoors when the weather permits. Take a walk around the block or get out into a grassy area where employees can stretch and move around while you chat. Not only will this help everyone to refocus but standing up and moving around will improve physical wellness, too.
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Provide Consistent Support
Emotional and professional support as an important part of employee wellness and motivation. If someone feels unsafe in your work environment, their wellness is going to be in jeopardy–as is their employment status.
Make sure that you aren’t showing favoritism at work. Assess everyone’s performance objectively and invest equally in your employees’ opportunities for advancement.
No matter your status or self-perception, consider taking anti-bias training courses. When we’re close with our employees and colleagues, it can be hard to see their behavior as inappropriate or discriminative. Staying aware of bias can help us make more informed, fair decisions.
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Ask for Feedback
As you look for ways to improve workplace wellness, ask your employees for feedback! No matter how big or small your company is, it’s difficult to gauge what your employees need and want without asking.
Consider an anonymous survey. Send out an email with a private link to each of your employees asking what changes they’d like to see around the office. Include questions like, “What would help you feel more motivated?” and, “Are there any current procedures that negatively affect your wellness?”
Beginning with anonymity can help put your employees at ease. They will be able to answer honestly without worrying about potential repercussions.
Once you have a consensus of what people are looking for, start compiling ways that you can improve wellness and motivation. If you’re unsure of which ones will be most effective, put it to a vote.
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Prioritize Employee Health
Employers tend to worry most about productivity, financial gains, and brand awareness. The truth is that none of these things will reach their potential until you prioritize employee health. With our 6 tips, you can implement procedures and policies that will improve wellness and boost morale so that everything else falls into place.
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