As our understanding of mental health continues to grow and evolve, so does our thinking around employee well-being.
In the past, well-being was pretty much only about physical health, but now, we understand that it encompasses how we feel mentally and socially, too. HR has a key role in creating environments that support holistic well-being in the workplace.
Here are a few ways HR can make a difference and prioritize mental, physical, and social well-being for employees.
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Offer Mental Health Awareness and Support
Mental health is something that every modern workplace should absolutely pay attention to, and HR teams should focus on making mental health support a priority.
Taking a proactive approach to mental health can help prevent your staff from struggling with stress and burnout, as well as ensuring they feel safe at work. With that in mind, it’s fundamental that managers are trained on how to spot signs of mental health issues and provide employees with access to confidential counseling services when needed.
As well as providing mental health resources, you should also aim to create an environment where all employees feel able to talk about their well-being without worrying about being judged. You could create support groups or offer peer counseling to facilitate this.
Ultimately, you want your employees to understand that their mental health is something that matters in your business, and that you’re here to support them whenever they may need it.
Address Physical Health and Flexibility
Physical health is still a big part of employee well-being. Your company might already offer wellness programs or gym memberships, but it’s important that you go further and offer flexibility around how your employees look after their health. This approach has been adopted successfully by businesses in a range of industries, including healthcare company Hightown Pharmacy.
There are a few ways to accommodate the physical needs of your staff. For instance, you could allow for flexible hours in the office or working from home, or adjust your workplace (such as installing desks with adjustable heights, which staff can use as standing desks).
Offering flexible schedules gives your employees the opportunity to manage their physical health without feeling they’re sacrificing their professional responsibilities. This is particularly important in businesses where staff spend a lot of time sitting down, with not a lot of opportunity for physical activity.
Create a Supportive Workplace Culture
Creating a positive workplace culture that’s about respect and inclusivity has the potential to make a big impact on overall employee well-being in your workplace
Your employees are far more likely to work cooperatively and enthusiastically when your workplace has a friendly and trustworthy community. Employees that feel feel heard and valued are likely to have better emotional well-being at work.
Your company’s HR team should work on promoting team bonding by offering programs like social events and group activities. You could even consider mentorship programs that connect senior members of staff with those working in entry roles to help your employees develop a support network and reduce the likelihood of cliques.
Creating a positive workplace culture doesn’t only help your staff to feel comfortable to be themselves; it also sets expectations and discourages unwelcoming or unfriendly behavior that could affect employee well-being.
Implement Financial Well-being Programs
Financial stress is a big issue for employees, and tackling this problem can make a significant difference to overall well-being in the workplace. An effective way for HR to support financial well-being is by providing programs and resources that help employees manage their finances.
Offering financial education workshops is a good place to start. If you’re not comfortable running these sessions in-house, consider partnering with organizations that offer free or low-cost financial advice. These sessions can cover topics that your employees are most likely to benefit from learning about, like budgeting, saving for retirement, or managing debt, to help them feel more in control of their financial future.
Another way to make an impact is to offer flexible benefits for your staff, like student loan repayment assistance or savings programs. For example, if you allow employees to direct a portion of their paycheck into a high-interest savings account or retirement plan, this shows you’re investing in their long-term financial security.
Final Word
Hopefully, this article has inspired you to make the relevant changes in your workplace to improve employee well-being. But don’t forget about what can be done outside of the office, too.
Promoting a work-life balance is one of the simplest and most effective ways your HR team can prioritize holistic well-being is to promote work-life balance. So, encourage your employees to take regular breaks and use their holiday days—this can prevent them from burning out and help you create a healthier environment within working hours.
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