Employee well-being is everyone's business! Employers and human resources have a key role to play in the physical and mental health of their employees. In particular, they can encourage them to take regular actions to promote their development and quality of life. Find out why it is essential to do so as well as three habits that can be encouraged in your employees, because contributing to their individual well-being also increases collective well-being.
Why encourage employee well-being?
Employee well-being is a key issue for businesses. Physical and mental health problems are major factors in absenteeism, in Quebec as everywhere else.
The cost of absenteeism to Canadian businesses is estimated at more than $16 billion per year, including lost productivity and absence management costs.
Mental health in particular should not be neglected. As Minister of Labour Jean Boulet informed us in 2023, in Quebec, it is estimated that 3% of workers are absent from work each week due to factors related to their psychological health, or approximately 132,000 workers per week.
Aside from these costs, having happy and healthy employees is associated with increased productivity, reduced staff turnover and a better reputation, helping to attract more quality candidates.
But beyond these benefits, isn’t it simply more enjoyable for everyone to work in an environment where employees feel good? Like a virtuous circle, this contributes to raising the overall level of staff happiness. Here are 3 wellness habits that you can invite your employees to consider.
Encourage your employees to take active breaks
Active breaks, such as stretching, a 10-minute walk, or a short meditation session, allow employees to recharge their physical and mental batteries. In addition to reducing stress, they help prevent aches and pains related to a sedentary lifestyle. These breaks also improve focus and energy, increasing overall productivity.
To encourage your employees to integrate them, you could set up suitable spaces, such as break areas or rooms dedicated to light physical activities. Offering tools, such as guided videos or introductory workshops, can also encourage their adoption. Some companies even go so far as to offer an annual amount for the practice of physical activity to their employees. This amount could be used to buy desk bikes or other similar exercisers so that everyone can benefit!
Encourage a work-life balance
Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is crucial to preventing burnout, as well as promoting greater motivation and stress reduction. This includes flexible schedules and disconnecting from work.
In addition to establishing clear policies on working hours and offering options such as teleworking or personal time off, encourage your employees to set clear boundaries between these two areas of their lives. Of course, you will also need to do the same to set an example!
Promote a healthy lifestyle
Adopting healthy physical health habits directly contributes to employee well-being. A balanced diet, good hydration and regular physical activity play a key role in preventing stress and diseases related to a sedentary lifestyle.
To incorporate this habit into your workplace, offer healthy snacks at meetings, install accessible water dispensers, and organize exercise activities, such as yoga classes or group challenges. You can also negotiate discounted gym memberships or offer incentives for using active transportation, such as biking.
Good habits…and gratitude!
Encouraging active breaks, work-life balance, and physical health practices is not only an investment in employee well-being; it is also a powerful lever for the growth and sustainability of your business.
In addition to encouraging your employees to adopt healthy lifestyle habits, it is essential to build a corporate culture focused on recognition so that they feel appreciated and valued. If you don’t know where to start, don’t hesitate to contact our recognition experts or book a demo of our platform. This will greatly contribute to the quality of life at work and the happiness index in your company!
Pascale Hubert
Web Writer