The impact of welfare on employee productivity and performance – Adrem

How much does the well-being of your employees matter to you?

You are right ! A quality life at work promotes involvement, motivation and helps to develop a pleasant atmosphere at the office.

The professional well-being is reflected individually, for each employee, but also collectively, at the level of the company’s functioning and results. Employees are more fulfilled, more efficient, and the company is more competitive.

In this article, I invite you to discover the impact of well-being at work on employee productivity and performance.

This state is a fairly broad concept. We can distinguish:

• Physical well-being, which aims the comfort of the employee within the company and at his job (brightness, tranquility, optimization of work equipment, heating, etc.),
• Psychological well-being, characterized by a pleasant working atmosphere (employee in accordance with his duties, good relations between colleagues, benevolent management, positive corporate values, etc.).

Why is well-being at work important?

An employee who feels good will naturally get more involved and provide quality work.

Well-being at work is important as:

• To maintain the mental and physical health of employees,
• To strengthen the motivation of the teams and the competitiveness of the company.

The malaise at work is not trivial and involves many risks for both the employee and the company: poor results, illness, absenteeism, business fluctuation, etc.

Good to know: protecting the mental , physical health and safety of employees is a duty and an obligation of the employer.

What impact does well-being have on employee productivity and performance?

It has a positive impact on employee productivity and performance and thus strengthens the company’s competitiveness.

• Facilitates the fight against the risk of occupational disease and employee absenteeism.

An employee who feels good is less likely to develop stress or anxiety. It is necessary to fight against the stress at work of employees, whose effects and consequences are particularly harmful at individual and collective level.

The employer must also ensure that his employees have pleasant offices. For executive employees, for example, who perform most of their tasks behind a computer, it is recommended to use chairs and ergonomic equipment to limit inconvenience or even damage to the extended posture on the chair.

• Makes employees more motivated and involved at work

An employee who arrives happy and fit in the morning will work more efficiently. It is stimulating to know that your work is useful and recognized by your team and / or your superiors, as well as the prospect of having fun with colleagues at lunch and / or at the end of the day once the work is finished.

Happiness at work has only positive consequences.

The well-being of employees makes them more involved, but also potentially more creative.

During breaks, or in a moment of personal rest, it is not uncommon, for example, for an employee invested in his professional activity to think of the best way to solve a problem or to think of a new relevant project…

In addition, employees interested in their work and motivated by their company’s goals naturally tend to work in a good internal atmosphere and collaborate.

A good business climate unites energies and makes it possible to increase productivity and improve results.

• Promotes dialogue and mutual trust

Employees who can communicate calmly and maintain good relationships with their manager feel more confident. Thus, in case of difficulty, for example, they will be more inclined to raise the issue, to discuss it and not to be overwhelmed by it.

Superiors who listen to their employees and who allow them to have a little flexibility and adaptation in professional life, respecting the needs of each one, will have a more fulfilled and united team.

An employee who is considered and respected by his colleagues and superiors, who is allowed to confidently reconcile professional and personal life with certain arrangements regarding the work schedule or working methods, is for example better prepared, if necessary, to give a helping hand at the last moment, the resumption of an unfulfilled task or the taking over of an unforeseen project.

• Promotes long-term professional involvement of employees and recruitment of new talent
• It allows the retention of employees and prevent departures of talents from the company. A good way to surround yourself with the bests.

An efficient and successful employee, but whose position no longer motivates him, will certainly try to negotiate new positions or get a promotion rather than favoring the search for a job in another company.

This state of mind is reflected in the brand images of the companies and can help it to recruit interesting profiles. For young people, the atmosphere and well-being at work have often become more important than salary and responsibility.

How to ensure well-being at work?

Here are some ideas to think about if you want to improve the well-being of your employees at work:

• Workspace organization: are they bright? Do employees have comfortable offices, with quality armchairs and equipment? If the company is organized in open-space, can employees have access to closed offices when they need peace? Are your common rooms and equipment adequate and welcoming?
• The cohesion of your employees and their sense of belonging to the company: how is the management organized? Do you consider him benevolent? Do employees have a developed team spirit? Do they exercise their functions in accordance with their aspirations? Do you leave them room for maneuver (flexible hours, telecommuting) so that they reconcile their personal and professional life as well as possible? Is their work recognized?

Good to know: to improve the quality of life of your employees, you can start by asking them to answer a questionnaire about well-being at work.

• Customize workspaces

It is proven.

More than 9 out of 10 employees consider that a well-arranged and tastefully decorated workspace has a direct impact on their daily well-being. In the face of this observation, you can use your imagination to create a pleasant space.

Here are some ideas:

– install stickers and wall posters, preferably colored. for example: with the vision of the companies or with its principles, images from nature, or with the projects in which you participated together, awards, etc.,

– decorate the workspace with indoor plants and a vegetable garden of the company,

– replace traditional office chairs with yoga balls and / or down,

– organizing a collaborative workspace in the open space,

– arrange the WORK schedule.

• Plants, an idea to exploit

Needless to say, employee productivity is largely based on the work environment. An essential aspect that requires the full attention of the company and yet does not necessarily require considerable effort.

According to several studies, the presence of plants is an economical and fast way to improve the morale, productivity and well-being of employees.

This approach, which is both environmentally friendly and beneficial to health, has many advantages. stress reduction, reduced fatigue, better understanding between employees… a long-term investment that should not be neglected.

Working from home can be a great way to improve your team’s well-being
Many scientific studies have shown that employees who do not work long hours have higher productivity.

The same is true for those who take vacations more regularly and can telecommute at least one day a week.

• Telecommuting has been on the rise lately.

And for good reasons. It offers employees the opportunity to benefit from a balanced life, especially if they have small children. Good time management is therefore an essential element to ensure a good atmosphere at work.

Telecommuting, giving employees the opportunity to arrive earlier to leave less late, leaving a certain margin of freedom in taking leave are all possibilities to be adopted to improve the general well-being of employees.

• Organize or offer free Yoga classes

An excellent way to relax your employees and create a true group understanding is to organize a monthly or bimonthly yoga session within the company.

• Organize a teambuilding day

The atmosphere between colleagues is an important factor to feel good at work. Most employees agree. Moreover, the share of employees willing to change jobs is higher even when there is a bad working atmosphere than when the salary is insufficient.

Organizing seminars, team building, parties is an excellent way to create team spirit and generate a good group atmosphere.

• Authorize employees to make a MICRO-NAP

A company that allows employees to take a micro siesta is a company that prioritizes the well-being of its employees. This will guarantee better productivity and a warmer atmosphere. If you can, install down chairs and low light in a carefully decorated room.

• Propose healthy and seasonal food

Providing employees with fresh seasonal fruits each week, as well as vegetables is a great way to maintain the health of your employees.

Exit chips, cakes and chocolate bars that are far too heavy. One solution would be to give your employees fresh, free fruit every week.

• Let’s talk about Parenting in your company

The mental load, the return from maternity leave, new roles for fathers, gender equality… Parenting is a topic that worries us a lot because it is at the crossroads of many societal upheavals.

The challenge: to make every actor of their time. A real project in which they must be involved: HR, management, employees and managers.

We are not half a parent and half an employee. We are 100% parents and 100% employee.

In terms of practical solutions, companies such as Yoopies or Babilou are positioning themselves to provide childcare services. But it will take time to change mindsets!

Should we start by addressing the topic in a parenting conference?

• Make sure your employees feel safe

Many people are concerned about the risks of leaving home and being around large groups of people following a pandemic.

It is important not only to reassure your employees, but to make sure that there are appropriate protocols so that they feel safe when working or visiting the workplace.

This could include an office reservation system, limiting the number of people present at work, providing disinfectant and masks, thoroughly cleaning the workplace every day, allowing employees to work from where they feel at ease. and asking them what alternative would be more comfortable for them in the future.

• Listen to what the employees have to say

The easiest way to find out how a person feels is to talk to them directly. Organizing regular recovery meetings, virtual or in person, could have a huge positive impact on a person’s day.

Friendly conversations will give employees the opportunity to tell you if they are having problems, so that you can help them find a solution before the problem gets worse.

Ensuring that employees’ concerns are heard will improve the overall well-being of staff and state of mind at work. Other ways to find out how people feel include anonymous surveys, group discussions and feedback forms.

• Create and promote ways for people to seek advice

Whether a person is having a problem at work or at home, they may benefit from having someone to talk to.

You can gather a team of volunteers responsible for the welfare theme, to whom employees can turn for confidential conversations and guidance.

They may not feel comfortable talking to someone on their own team, so make sure people from different departments are involved.

Providing a wellness training course will also better motivate staff to support others and improve the quality of their advice.

How to convince employees to participate in your wellness program?

Do you have a wellness program at work? You have already taken a first step in the right direction, congratulations!

Now, the next step is to persuade your employees to participate. How can you guarantee the success of your program?

Here are 5 helpful ideas.

• Explain why it is essential

In terms of well-being at work, don’t allow employees to understand the operation and interest of the program by themselves. It is often necessary to start by educating them on the notion of well-being: what it is, the different forms of fulfillment, the solutions that exist, etc.

By making employees aware of their needs and the options available to them, they will be more receptive to your corporate wellness program.

Above all, explain that there is nothing to be ashamed  when it comes to taking care of themselves.

Empathy is crucial to persuade employees to participate.

Sometimes it is necessary to give this “permission” to employees to share their concerns about mental health and well-being at work.

Organize sessions in which you detail the principles of the program, its objectives and the resources used. The more you communicate, the more you stimulate their curiosity and motivation.

• Involve employees in the program from the beginning

No matter how great your wellness program at work is, you need to co-opt employees to motivate them in the long run.

For example, you can offer them to choose the name and logo of the program, or become ambassadors or team leaders to motivate colleagues. It’s also a great way to develop your leadership skills!

Honor employees who have initiated personal projects related to your program. Do you have a passion for yoga in your company or people passionate about meditation? Maybe the followers of a good diet could lead workshops with colleagues?

The possibilities are endless, and the best resources you have are probably already internal!

• Involve top management

Only 49% of employees say that their manager understands their problems and needs: that’s why it’s important to train top management on topics such as employee well-being at work.

In order to have a culture in this sense, managers must create the right dynamics. They need to embody your program through speeches, videos, etc.

For example, a short video with a senior leader talking honestly about his experience in mental health and how he used organizational resources to deal with the situation is a great idea.

Eventually, your employees will take time for themselves and become active participants in their personal development.

Creating a culture of well-being is a strong lever for a company: it should be positioned as a priority goal for all organizations.

• Offer the most inclusive and accessible program possible

Of all employees who indicated that they could participate in a workplace wellness program in 2020, but did not, 38% said they were too busy. Your program must be addressed to everyone, regardless of level, age, profession.

Everyone should find their place.

For example, if you only offer a gym membership, people with physical or health conditions will be excluded. Their motivation is likely to decline.

Think bigger by planning various activities: lunches, treatments, meditation sessions, conferences on stress management, etc.

In terms of well-being at work, peer pressure can be positive, as each can influence the other in the right direction. It is often easier to achieve goals in a group than alone.

Encourage employees to work on their health by connecting with colleagues who share a common interest.

• Reward and capitalize on the effort

To persuade your employees to participate in wellness activities, you need to identify what motivates them.

Is it money or gift vouchers, or rather pride and public recognition?

Both can serve as a cornerstone to success. Material rewards, such as praise, help keep employees motivated and encourage their future efforts.

Not all employees are interested or motivated by the same things.

In general, there are two types of motivation:

• Intrinsic motivation: comes from within, such as pride in a job well done or the satisfaction of making a difference in a community or organization.
• Extrinsic motivation: This comes from more traditional rewards, such as gifts or vouchers.

Conclusion

Even if the article was very long, I hope I helped you find some ideas to introduce a culture of well-being in your company.

We are here to help you get rid of administrative burdens and have a smooth activity.

All the ideas that go through your head, you can turn them into reality.

Leave a comment with what you have managed to implement so far. No success is too small.