Employees’ health in a business is rarely at the forefront of managerial strategies, but perhaps it should be. Not only will a healthier workforce spend less time absent from work, but they will often be happier, more productive and willing to stay at your company because of healthy work culture. Here are some ways that you can encourage healthier habits in employees.
Avoid Overworking Employees
There will be times in any business where the workload is high, and everyone has to dig in to meet deadlines. While this is an unavoidable reality, you should avoid creating a work culture like this. If employees are regularly snowed under with deadlines and projects, they are far more likely to experience work-related burnout.
Building a company culture where you respect the limits and lives of your employee benefits all parties in the long term. Your employees will be happier and, as a result, will be more productive and less likely to leave. It’s a win-win. One way to foster a healthier work environment is to encourage regular breaks and promote work-life balance. To achieve this you can consider various programs and resources that are designed to promote workplace well-being. For instance, initiatives such as at https://changeishere.co/, can offer training and guidance on how to create a supportive workplace where employees can feel valued and empowered. These initiatives can not only boost morale but also ensure that employees are more engaged and motivated, leading to better mental well-being overall.
Promote Fun and Relaxation
To enhance employee well-being, consider engaging them in fun activities and providing comfortable spaces for relaxation. Organize team-building events, game nights, or outdoor activities that allow colleagues to bond and de-stress. Additionally, prepare the breakroom with cozy seating, proper Furniture, recreational amenities like board games or video games, and a welcoming atmosphere where employees can unwind during breaks. These initiatives not only boost morale but also foster a sense of community and work-life balance within your organization.
Offer Healthier Snacks
If you go into almost any office and look around the kitchen or breakroom, you will undoubtedly find a treasure trove of biscuits and chocolate. While there is nothing wrong with these snacks in moderation, if your employees regularly munch on these sugary treats, their health will suffer.
Instead of these sweet treats that will undoubtedly contribute to slumps in productivity because of sugar crashes, consider bringing some healthy alternatives. For example, fresh fruit and nuts are great workplace snacks, as they will provide slow-release energy and are less likely to lead to health complications.
On the subject of diet, it is also vital that your workforce stays hydrated. The average adult consumes less than the recommended daily amount of water, which can significantly impact health. If you are looking to promote health in the workplace, consider hydration. You could simply provide an adequate supply of bottled water or choose to install commercial water coolers throughout the office to encourage water consumption.
However, it is important to remember that if you decide to go for the latter option of installing commercial water coolers, that your water bills could see a significant rise. Until you do something about it, like changing your water supplier (find out more here), you could soon find yourself in a difficult financial situation. And this is something that you don’t want to experience, especially when you are working to create a healthier workforce. So, if this is something you are thinking about doing, be sure to look at your utility bills and go from there.
Subsidise Activities
A great way to improve morale and look after the health of your workforce is to subsidise certain activities. One such thing you could subsidise is wellbeing programs for your employees to attend in their own time, as it can help them in numerous personal and professional ways. Another thing you could contribute towards is sporting activities. Whether you offer a company gym membership or form a five-a-side team, encouraging your employees to partake in sport can be a great way of relieving stress after a long day in the office.
A more active workforce is a healthier one in more ways than one. There is a significant link between physical wellbeing and mental health, so promoting activity in your company could help improve your employees’ mental health.
A Healthy Workplace Benefits Everyone
On the whole, encouraging healthy lifestyle habits among your employees is good for all parties involved. Healthier employees will take less time off sick and will generally have a higher quality of life. This can translate to higher productivity in the workplace, which can lead to a more successful business. When tackling health at work, a holistic approach is essential, and as much focus should be placed on mental well-being as physical health.
