Employee Wellbeing
November 19th, 2009Concerned With Employee Wellbeing? Eight Things To Consider
As an employee a person has the right to expect good working conditions regardless of their position or industry. A positive working environment is not only beneficial to employee wellbeing, but also to productivity. The task of providing such an environment and ensuring employee wellbeing rests in the hands of the employer.
It can be difficult to maintain a sense of unity and employee wellbeing within a work place and this can be a challenge for employers, but by keeping employees happy and investing in their wellbeing an employer can also ensure productivity will remain high. So how does an employer maintain the delicate balance between employee wellbeing and complete anarchy? There are several simple ways to maintain a balance in the workplace and many of these are cost effective and preventative in nature.
1. Encourage Staff Get-togethers
In a quest to boost employee wellbeing a well-planned office outing such as a meal can go a long way towards fostering strong relationships as well as increasing productivity and employee cooperation. Alternatively this can be accomplished with an office pizza day or organizing for each employee to bring a dish they enjoyed as part of a family tradition or a favorite recipe.
2. Encourage Open Communication
Employee wellbeing is dependent upon open and positive communication between an employee and employer. When an employee raises a question or concern it is vital to acknowledge it as soon as possible. An acknowledgement, even without an immediate answer, can go a long way towards enhancing employee wellbeing. Acknowledging the question or concern tells the employee their questions and concerns are valid and appreciated.
3. Set Reasonable Expectations
Setting reasonable expectations when determining employee hours avoids any discrepancies by setting a known standard from the beginning. Knowing the expectations of an employer will allow employees the opportunity to plan for the care of children or family events. Scheduling travel and meetings in advance whenever possible will also support employee wellbeing.
4. Listen!
Listening to the needs and ideas of employees will help them feel important and appreciated. Listening to employee concerns and discussing options and/or compromises indicates a genuine care and concern for his or her wellbeing. Active listening is vital and in the case of a suggestion or idea constructive criticism is usually appreciated.
5. Deal With Negativity
Negativity in the workplace can be the biggest contributor to employee stress or dissatisfaction. It is vital to deal with negativity in the workplace as soon as possible in order to protect employees from low self-esteem. Negativity can spread through an office very quickly, but by addressing the problem and creating policy to deal with it an employer can positively impact the overall wellbeing of their employees
6. Show Appreciation
Showing appreciation towards employees through awards, incentives and public acknowledgment will help boost employee morale and also indicates a genuine interest in their achievements. Appreciation can help employees realise their own worth. It can also help employees who are shy or withdrawn gain the courage and motivation needed to take on a new role or task.
7. Make Sure Employees Know Their Job Description
It is important all employees know and understand their job description and exactly what it entails. An employee who does not understand his or her job description may question why they are being asked to do something they view as redundant or not part of the job they were hired for. By making sure employees understand their duties this can be avoided while also avoiding any negative feelings or resentment they may have towards their direct supervisor. A clear and concise job description can help with this.
8. Provide Professional Development Opportunities
People have an innate desire to learn and grow. Employers can provide many opportunities for this while boosting employee production and knowledge. Employees who have the opportunity to grow with a company may opt to remain with the company not only in the good times but also in times of difficulty. Professional development can be achieved in a number of ways including in-house and out-of-house conferences, seminars and workshops.
In the end it is important for an employer to consider employee wellbeing because it can go a long way towards fostering sustainability and a positive environment within a company or workplace. Employee wellbeing can and does turn employees into colleagues. It is in the best interest of a company to work with all employees in order to make them active partners in promoting healthy and positive relationships.
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