Organizations everywhere are grappling with the ongoing reality of declining employee productivity, wellbeing, and engagement. In fact, 2022 showcased the sharpest plunge in employee productivity since 1947.
Why? First, let’s take a look at some key stats:
• 85% of employees feel disengaged
• 50% are quiet quitting
• 48% feel burned out
Although burnout and disengagement at work are not new phenomena, we began seeing these issues escalate at the end of 2020 with the onset of the “Great Resignation,” a trend representing higher than normal amounts of voluntary workplace resignations.
Many attribute the Great Resignation to the Covid-19 pandemic. Since the pandemic’s arrival in 2020, the World Health Organization found that the global prevalence of anxiety and depression increased by 25%. In the search for better mental health and work-life balance, employees began resigning from their positions at alarming rates.
Fast forward to late 2022 and new workplace trends began emerging. “Quiet quitting,” for example, in which countless employees proclaimed on social media they do the bare minimum at work to prioritize their mental health. With data proving continuous low workplace engagement and productivity rates, some agree that the onset of “quiet quitting” wasn’t a huge surprise.
2023 presents a new opportunity – combatting these trends to breed successful businesses. After all, the success of an organization begins with its most valuable assets – the employees.
How to improve employee wellbeing in 2023
When Gallup asked employees what they look for most in an employer, they ranked working for an organization that cares about their wellbeing as part of their top three criteria. Let’s take a look at how you, as an employer, can reverse negative workplace trends using one key strategy – employee wellbeing.
But first, what is employee wellbeing? To improve it, it’s important to understand it.
Employee wellbeing can be defined in many different ways. While some choose to define it simply as a “state of mental, emotional, and physical health,” others prefer to include factors such as “a sense of purpose at work, community, and financial health.”
Though the definition varies depending on who you’re asking, all seem to agree that when you contribute to the wellbeing of your employees, it allows them to flourish – inside and out of work.
Here at teroGO, we look at employee wellbeing on a holistic level.
With a focus on physical, mindfulness, sustainability, and impact/community, we are also flexible to incorporate your other wellbeing needs.
Let’s take a look at each of the four pillars mentioned and break down why they are crucial to the health of employees and organizations across the globe.
1. Physical activity
Engaging in physical activity has been proven to improve the overall wellbeing of those who partake – including enhanced cognitive performance, memory, and concentration.
Encouraging employees to engage in physical activity is important – especially when their jobs primarily entail sitting in front of a computer. Research shows one of the main reasons sedentary lifestyles are “spreading worldwide” is due to “increased occupational sedentary behaviors,” like office work.
In fact, 31% of the global population over the age of 15 do not get enough physical activity, which studies have found contributes to the deaths of approximately 3.2 million people every year.
2. Mindfulness
The term mindfulness is defined as “a psychological state of awareness, the practices that promote this awareness, a mode of processing information, and a character trait.”
Practicing mindfulness can come in many different shapes and forms. For example, meditation, yoga, quality time with your pet, gardening, cleaning, and more.
Regardless of what mindfulness looks like to each individual, practicing it has many proven health and wellbeing benefits, some of which include enhanced concentration, mental clarity, and self-acceptance.
3. Opportunities to give back
Giving employees the opportunity to do good for the community contributes to their own enrichment, the enrichment of your organization, and of the community itself.
Employees who feel their company encourages them to support causes they care about are:
• 74% more likely to recommend their company as a place to work
• 71% more likely to stay with the company longer
• 61% more likely to be engaged at work
Fulfilling the need for social impact will help employees feel satisfied in their own lives, which translates into satisfaction at work.
4. Sustainability
Sustainability measures in the workplace give employees the chance to contribute to the greater good of the environment.
One study showed that when choosing a company to work for, nearly 70% of respondents said they were more likely to work for a company with a sustainability plan.
50% said they were willing to accept a smaller salary to work for an environmentally and socially responsible company.
30% had left a company due to a lack of a corporate sustainability agenda
Engaging your employees to be more sustainable contributes to their wellbeing, as well as the positive impact of your organization on the environment!
Why go with a holistic approach to employee wellbeing?
The reality is, there are many factors that contribute to the wellbeing of a person. Instead of choosing a solution that caters to just one, opt for a holistic approach that encompasses all the wellbeing needs of your team.
If you’re looking for somewhere to start, get in touch with us today.
Written by Kelly Baker, Content Marketing at teroGO
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