Enhancing Employee Well-being From Home

Employee Well-being and Why It Matters

Mental, physical, emotional, and economic health. Sounds pretty important, doesn’t it? These four components make up the well-being of your employees and are influenced by various factors such as office culture, relationships with co-workers, job responsibilities, compensation, and more. 

Managers need to prioritize employee well-being because it helps employees feel valued and supported at work. In the long run, it encourages employees to be more engaged and motivated to perform and excel.

Studies have shown that employees are more productive when happy. Enhancing employee well-being is also a great way to attract talent and reduce turnover rates. In regards to choosing where to work, 38% of Gen Z see work-life balance as one of their key factors of consideration. 

The benefits of managing employee well-being include:

• Better performance and productivity
• Reduced burnout 
• Positive work environment
• Attractive employer brand
• Long-term organizational success 

Managing Employee Well-being: Remote v.s. In Office

It is one thing to manage employee well-being in the office. It is another to do it from home. With an actual office and the physical presence of your team, employee well-being can be promoted in many ways. For example:

1. Ergonomic Workstations 

Installing ergonomic workstations to support employees’ physical health and comfort. A little goes a long way, and in this case, an adjustable chair might just be the ingredient to your employee’s productivity.‍

2. Employee Wellness Programs 

Offering wellness programs such as fitness challenges, health seminars, and activities like yoga or meditation classes.

3. Team-Building Activities 

Organizing team-building activities that foster social connections and relationships between employees. This helps to improve the psychological state of your employees and provides them with a sense of community.

4. Workplace Personalization 

Encouraging workplace personalization where employees have the freedom to personalize and design their workspaces for a more comfortable environment.  

However, the “work from home” blueprint has become more common, and not all teams have the privilege of physical interactions. 

Solutions for Boosting Employee Well-being from Home

Essentially, the four ways to promote employee well-being, as mentioned above, can easily be transformed to better suit a remote office. Here is how.

1. Ergonomic Workstations 

No office, no problem. Companies can easily guide employees and help them transform their home office into an ergonomic one. There are many ways to improve your remote workspace to support physical well-being and prevent discomfort.  

2. Employee Wellness Programs 

There are multiple ways to promote wellness while working from home. Companies can organize virtual wellness challenges such as step challenges or mindfulness activities to encourage employees to prioritize their health. There are also various health seminars and online fitness classes online that always welcome participants.

3. Team-Building Activities 

Companies can look to creating virtual platforms where employees can communicate on a more personal level, encouraging them to share interests, discuss hobbies, etc. to duplicate the sense of community that in-office employees feel.

4. Workplace Personalization 

Aside from leveling up your home office, another way to provide personalization for your employees is simply by providing flexibility. It is important to understand that remote work situations vary and be flexible to accommodate various circumstances such as when and where your employees work.

Let’s Recap:

Employee well-being encompasses not only the overall health and happiness of employees, it improves job satisfaction and contributes to various aspects of your employee’s day-to-day life. Employee well-being matters for several reasons such as better performance and productivity, reduced burnout, a positive work environment, an attractive employer brand, and long-term organizational success.

Enhancing employee well-being in the office might be a little different than in the remote workplace, however, it is not impossible. A little innovation with a hint of creativity will get you ahead. The four ways to better employee well-being, online and offline, are:

1. Ergonomic Workstations
2. Employee Wellness Programs
3. Team-Building Activities
4. Workplace Personalization