Well-being at work

No leadership without followership. That's why you need to take care of your employees and make sure they thrive. High employee wellbeing leads to lower absenteeism, increased productivity and better morale. When employees feel valued and supported in their work, they are more engaged and willing to contribute positively to company goals.

Let's dive into why wellbeing in the workplace is so important - for the individual and for the community.

What is well-being?

According to the National Research Center for the Working Environment, wellbeing can be described as "a state of physical, mental and social wellbeing". Workplace wellbeing is therefore about employees' overall wellbeing and satisfaction within their professional environment. It covers our mental, emotional and physical wellbeing at work.

When we are well, we are happier, less sick and more engaged in our work. But wellbeing is not something we can achieve alone; it requires a joint effort. This means that both managers and colleagues need to work together to create a good working environment where everyone feels comfortable.

We prioritize employee well-being at Health Group

The psychological work environment

The mental health work environment encompasses the factors in a workplace that affect employees' mental health and wellbeing. Stress levels, relationships, work pressure and how recognized and valued each employee feels are all factors that influence the mental health work environment.

To promote a healthy psychological work environment, it's crucial to create a culture of openness where there is room for dialog about work-related challenges. In addition, there should be clear policies in place to prevent bullying and discrimination and support offers of professional help if needed.

The physical work environment

The physical work environment plays a critical role in the daily wellbeing and efficiency of employees. Conditions such as ergonomics, lighting, and noise levels are essential components that must be optimized to promote health and productivity. Proper ergonomic equipment such as adjustable chairs and desks can prevent back problems, while adequate and correct lighting can reduce eye strain.

It's also important to consider air quality and temperature control, which can have a major impact on comfort and concentration. Creating a physical work environment that minimizes the risk of injury and promotes a healthy work rhythm is therefore crucial.

Benefits of boosting well-being in the workplace

When employees thrive in the workplace, they become more productive, creative and a greater resource for the company in all aspects. People who are thriving have more energy, which strengthens the company's overall performance.

Workplace wellbeing can boost engagement and openness to learning and development. With higher engagement, employees are more willing to take initiative and improve their skills, leading to a better work environment.

For the company, this means not only more efficient employees, but also a stronger team that is better equipped to meet work challenges and drive growth.

Benefits of promoting well-being at work:

• Improved productivity: Employees who thrive are more engaged and efficient in their work.
• Less sick leave: Good wellbeing can reduce the frequency and length of sick leave among employees.
• Higher employee satisfaction: Wellbeing contributes to overall job satisfaction, which can reduce employee turnover.
• Attracting talent: Companies with a strong wellbeing culture are more attractive to potential employees.
• Stronger company culture: Wellbeing strengthens relationships between colleagues and creates a positive work culture.
• Better collaboration and communication: Healthy wellbeing promotes open and effective communication between employees, which improves teamwork.

Well-being strengthens relationships between colleagues

Dissatisfaction in the workplace

Workplace dissatisfaction can arise from several factors. One of the main sources of unhappiness is a lack of clear communication and leadership, which can lead to uncertainty and frustration among employees. High work pressure and unrealistic expectations can also contribute to stress and burnout.

Lack of recognition and appreciation of employees' efforts is another major cause of unhappiness. Furthermore, a negative social environment where there is conflict or lack of support can further exacerbate the situation.

Such conditions can reduce employee motivation and wellbeing, which can have serious consequences - both for the individual and the organization as a whole.

How do you create well-being in the workplace?

To create wellbeing, it's essential that management engages with employee wellbeing and empowerment.

It's important that employees have control over their tasks and decisions so they don't become stressed. As a manager, you can facilitate this by talking openly with employees about their roles, clearly defining their responsibilities and encouraging autonomy while tolerating mistakes as part of the learning process.

Flexible working hours allow employees to better align their work life with personal commitments and preferences, which can reduce stress and increase job satisfaction.

At the same time, the physical and psychological work environment also plays a major role. Proper ergonomic conditions, psychological safety and support should all be prioritized to create well-being.

Furthermore, an open and inclusive culture where there is room for dialog about feelings and concerns is essential to strengthen collaboration and trust.

5 tips for better well-being at work

To improve wellbeing in the workplace, it's important to foster a culture of openness and respect. Here are some tips you can work from:

1. Increase employee involvement: Make sure all employees feel they have a voice and can influence decisions that affect their work.
2. Promote work-life balance: Offer flexible working hours and the option to work from home where possible to help employees balance their professional and personal lives.
3. Health and wellness initiatives: Implement programs that support both physical and mental health, such as physical exercise or mindfulness sessions.
4. Regular feedback: Establish a culture where constructive feedback is the norm, both from management and colleagues, to encourage personal and professional growth.
5. Recognition and rewards: Recognize employees' efforts and successes regularly to increase motivation and feelings of appreciation.

These actions can strengthen unity and well-being in the workplace, leading to higher job satisfaction and productivity.

When constructive feedback is the norm, so is employee satisfaction

Well-being survey

A wellbeing survey is an evidence-based and professional employee wellbeing study that begins with a comprehensive survey and detailed interviews that gather insights about employee wellbeing and work environment.

A wellbeing survey makes it possible to identify key areas for improvement in the workplace as well as strengths in the existing work culture. The results of the survey are used to create an action plan tailored to the company's specific needs.

This plan includes concrete steps and strategies for implementation, as well as follow-up to ensure long-term improvements and continued commitment from management.

Main topics of a well-being analysis:

• Social capital
• Corporate strategy
• Management
• Communication
• Working together
• Work culture
• Career opportunities.

Other topics that may be relevant:

• Pay and employment conditions
• Company image
• Work requirements
• Health
• Needs and wishes for health promotion
• Project work.

Get help for better well-being

Employee wellbeing is essential for a thriving workplace. Want to know more about how Health Group's wellbeing survey can benefit your business?

Contact us today for more information and to take the first step towards a healthier work environment.