Prioritising workplace employee wellbeing is no longer just a nice-to-have for employers. It has become a crucial aspect of any successful business strategy. When employers invest in their employees’ wellbeing, they create a positive and healthy work environment that leads to benefits for both the employer and the employee.

“Health isn’t just about salads and jogging. If it encompasses emotional and works health, as well as physical, it will be more sustainable and balanced.”

Here are some workplace wellbeing initiatives to consider:

1. Create a productive environment – People work better in a space designed to promote productivity and minimise distractions. Prevent fatigue and headaches with good lighting, stimulate brain function with inspiring colours and encourage employees to take walks.
2. Bike to Work Scheme
3. Discounts for the local gym
4. Provide healthy office snacks…
5. Reinforce the importance of sick days & time off for those with health issues.
6. Ensure that your work environment has plants & lots of natural light – A 2018 study conducted by Cornell University showed that employees working in an office with optimised natural light experienced a 51% drop in eyestrain, a 63% drop in headaches, and a 56% drop in drowsiness.
7. Offer an EAP service to employees.
8. Health check-ups – Arrange free (or subsidised) health checks through local health insurance providers.
9. Start an employee recognition programme – There are many ways to incorporate employee recognition into your organisation. Here are just a few ideas:

o Promotions or new titles
o One-on-one thank you meetings
o Social media or newsletter shoutouts
o Congratulatory emails
o Employee of the month programmes
o Raises or bonuses
o Rewards and gifts

Even if you have limited resources, there are still many ways to prioritise employee wellbeing in your organisation without breaking the bank. Implementing budget-friendly initiatives can have a positive impact on your employees’ physical and mental health, increase engagement and job satisfaction, and ultimately improve your business’s bottom line.

Here are some cost-effective ways to promote employee wellbeing and create a more supportive and fulfilling workplace.

• Standing Desks – Offer employees a height adjustable desk if the budget allows. Alternatively, you could have 2-3 standing desks (depending on organisation size) which employees will be able to book.
• Make company–wide meetings a thing – Company-wide meetings allow for great personal development opportunities because they mix teams up. Rather than talking to the same people all the time, staff get to interact with employees from other teams and departments. This spurs creativity and creates a more enriching company culture.
• Encourage balance – Encourage your staff to single-task instead of multitasking. Research shows that when people are constantly picking up their phone, checking their emails and jumping from task to task they become less productive.
• Flexible working hours.
• Organise walking meetings in the summer months – Take you informal meetings outside and go for a walk whilst having you meeting. Allows employees to get fresh air, exercise and increases productivity.
• Set up situations that encourage colleagues to mingle informally.
• Give employees a reason to leave their desks at lunch. Set up an unused office with tables and chairs where employees can congregate and eat together on a daily basis.
• Send out an ‘inspirational quote of the day!’
• Make lunch break mandatory – Employers can reinforce this by walking the walk. If employees see all the managers and higher-ups taking a lunch break every day, they’ll be more likely to follow their lead.

Prioritising employee wellbeing is a win-win situation for both employers and employees. By investing in employee wellbeing, employers can improve employee satisfaction, reduce absenteeism, and increase productivity.

If you’re looking for further support in implementing workplace wellbeing initiatives, our experienced HR Professionals can work with you to create a tailored wellbeing strategy that meets the unique needs of your organisation and employees.

Contact us at info@voltedge.ie today to learn more about how we can help you prioritise the wellbeing of your workforce.

Eva Matthews, Voltedge Management HR Graduate