We spend the maximum amount of our awake time in the workplace, surrounded by our colleagues at our desks doing our jobs. Even though you might say that work is just one thing you may do out of many, your job majorly defines almost all your life.
According to several peer-reviewed studies, 70% to 80% of employees quit their jobs because of an unsophisticated and primitive workplace environment and not because of money.
A report by TNS Social Research titled “the state of mental health in Australian workplaces” had the following key findings
- 91% believe mental health in the workplace is important (88% believe physical safety is important)
- Despite this, only 52% of employees believe their workplace is mentally healthy compared to 76% for physical safety
- Only five in ten (56%) believe their most senior leader values mental health
It is not uncommon knowledge of the stress levels spiking in the workplace. The reason is not just an overly high expectation of work but also workplace bullying, workplace harassment, workplace discrimination, no equal employment opportunity, etc.
To ensure employees are at their best productivity, we, as employers, HR managers, compliance officers, and team leaders, have to provide them with a workplace culture that promotes psychological health and wellbeing.
Why is good employee health and wellbeing of profound importance to the business?
Being nice, fair, and equal should come to you naturally. You need not need reasons to provide a workplace culture for the employees where they can experience maximum job satisfaction.
When an employee is happy, he/she can aid the growth of your organisation exponentially, here’s how:
- If the employees are satisfied with their jobs and feel appreciated, their workplace productivity will see a surge.
- A happy employee is highly loyal, leading to more commitment. This makes management easy and increases the employee turnover ratio.
- Happy employees post happy stuff on social media and company rating sites. They will spread your good word like wildfire, increasing your brand reputation.
- A workplace without disgruntled employees saves mishaps like workplace harassment and workplace bullying, reducing the cases of vicarious liabilities.
What are the factors that are the foundational pillars of a solid workplace culture that promotes psychological well-being?
These are the four pillars of the foundation on which a thriving organisation rests:
1. Good managers
A manager is a leader and a decision-maker. He has responsibilities on his shoulders. The prerequisite to leadership is not extensive years of experience but the ability to see and guide people. Good leaders promote good workplace culture, here’s how you can lead by example:
- Understand the value of an employee
- Be thankful: appreciate and acknowledge
- Effectively communicate
- Be a good listener
- Give responsibilities
- Resolve conflicts first
- Be transparent
2. Sense of acknowledging and appreciation
Employees who are heard and seen stay longer than the ones who are just paid well. We are humans, and it’s a biological need of ours to go to sleep knowing we’ve done something meaningful.
Appreciation increases the will to learn new skills, take up more responsibilities, and go the extra mile, along with increased productivity.
- Say thank you
- Ask about their schedule, don’t just bombard work
- Be tactful while being critical, and then appreciate the efforts
- Give time off, paid leaves, flexible timings
3. Give opportunities to grow
Learning new skills outweighs the money. This Statement from the mouth of a fresher’s mouth might just be to sound good. But after years and years of experience and talking to employees across ages and sectors, this is an imperishable fact.
The more skills you know, the better the whole you can plug into your career path.
- Give leeway to learning employees
- Provide assistance and training
- Give access to online courses and workshops
- Offer individual certificates
- Give them more responsibilities
4. Feeling of safety
The basic employers can provide their employees with is the feeling of safety and inclusion. Sadly, as common as this may seem, many employers are not able to provide a safe workplace culture to their employees due to a lack of compliance.
Ensure that you have strict policies and procedures that keep you in line with the compliance regulations and also allow you to create a safe space for your employees. A compliant workplace may seem to have fewer or no cases regarding.
- Workplace bullying
- Workplace sexual harassment
- No equal employment opportunity
- Workplace discrimination
- No employee privacy
- Misuse of internet and social media
In conclusion
Employee health and wellbeing are of utmost importance to your business. Now that you know your part, train your employees to play their part as well
Sentrient’s online course on employee health and wellbeing is designed for your employees to have a happy and balanced work life.
Click here to start the health and wellbeing course.
For more information, call us at 1300 040 589 or email us at info@sentrient.com.au.