The Great Resignation is a wake-up call for organizational change. Though 61% of organizational leaders believe that their business is thriving in the current work conditions, it's quite the opposite for many employees. Numerous professionals plan to leave their jobs due to their desire for greater flexibility, support, and well-being in companies with “cultures of care.”
Investing in the mental wellness of your employees can do wonders for the retention of your organizational talents. So, if you want to promote well-being in your workplace, here are strategies that can help you do just that:
1. Create a Culture That Values Mental Health
First things first: It’s time to recognize that your employees’ mental health is as important as their physical health. After all, many employees struggle with their productivity and mental health due to prolonged stress, which can result in burnout. Poor work-life balance, lack of social support, and unclear job expectations are the top causes of employee burnout. As such, organizations need to address these issues through the following strategies:
Employee feedback channels - Your employees know what they need most, so it’s essential to provide them with a channel where they can write down or express their suggestions for your organization. Employees should feel empowered to voice their experiences and know that they will be genuinely listened to.
Benefits packages - Benefits are a must, especially now that employees seek better working environments. Wellness-centered benefits could include mandatory mental health leave for employees who need rest or mental health and wellness programs for others who want support.
2. Implement Stress Management Programs
When it comes to maintaining mental wellness, prevention is the key. Aside from fostering a culture of care in your workplace, your organization also needs to implement stress management programs before your employees get burnout. Organizational stress management is crucial in high-stress careers, and you can achieve this by providing the following:
Peer support - Organizational leaders can help reduce the stress levels of their team by providing weekly peer support meetings, addressing conflicts in the workplace, and acknowledging the efforts of each employee.
Workflow structure - Articulate the roles and the working hours of staff so that employees understand when they can take breaks and enjoy their time off.
3. Keep Employees Connected to Each Other
Group activities and simple socialization can make each workday more fun. But with more employees requesting flexible work options, organizations need to find a way to maintain their employees’ social well-being despite the distance. Now that remote work is here to stay, HR professionals can build camaraderie through activities that promote socialization. You can make employees feel more connected and happier in the workplace through the following activities:
Team-building activities - Production-based contests or even online trivia games are quick and fun ways to help your employees get acquainted with their team and even other departments.
Task collaboration or one-on-one meetings - Aside from introducing your employees to each other through remote games and contests, it’s crucial that they are able to meet their coworkers and work with one another through scheduled meetings.
4. Encourage Exercise in the Workplace
It may seem more productive for employees to stay at their desks for eight hours straight. However, taking regular breaks for physical activity is actually much better for their productivity since it instantly helps improve one’s concentration, mood, and mental well-being. To reap these benefits, organizations can educate staff regarding fitness, nutrition, and health by implementing these strategies:
Health education programs - These health education programs will provide crucial information and can even serve as a wake-up call so that employees will be more motivated to invest in their physical fitness.
In-office gyms or fitness stipends - Your employees may lack the resources to incorporate exercise into their days. By providing them with in-office gyms or fitness stipends for gyms that are close to them, you can give them the tools and space to keep physically and mentally fit.
If you want to retain your employees, you should start considering workplace wellness as a necessity. These strategies will ensure that your employees will be healthy, happy, and productive with you for longer.
