Employee wellbeing is defined as ways to optimize the health of all employees adopted by organizations. It is not just confined to taking care of the physical well-being of employees, but also other components of their well-being which are crucial and hence cannot be ignored when talking about the health and overall well-functioning of individuals and employees. In other words, in the present-day scenario, the term employee well-being has been expanded from a traditional point of view and now focuses on much more than merely providing medical care to employees. Presently, employers are well aware of various elements that are components of employee well-being and are developing strategies to make the employees associated with their firm happier and healthier.

Why has it become crucial to consider the well-being of employees in the present-day scenario?

With the recent outbreak of the pandemic, it has come to the notice of many employers that there has been an impact on employee wellbeing which in turn has an impact on their performance and consequently affects the business results. As a result of the pandemic, the employees were distressed and worried, and employers had to look for ways which will help to accommodate the rising needs for empathy towards their employees.

Impact of initiating wellbeing policies on employees

• Lower rates of absenteeism:-  Because of their many benefits, many companies have begun to implement a variety of wellness programs in the firm. The programs may vary in scope and focus. Employee well-being programs prove to be cost-effective for employers and also reduce the rates of absenteeism in the workplace due to health-related issues.

• Increase in levels of Employee Engagement:--  As a result of initiating well-being schemes, employees feel more connected to their organization. As a result of the improved health of employees, their performance and happiness rates increase, improving their efficiency and engagement in the workplace.

• Improved productivity of employees:-  Various types of research indicate that when employee well-being is optimized by firms, the employees begin to feel more focused on their work and as a result their levels of productivity increase.

• Attractive branding of firms:- The search for the best talent in the marketplace is a very competitive process and candidates of higher qualifications and capabilities have a variety of options available to them to choose from when picking their next employer. Providing employee well-being benefits ensures the business success of the company.

What factors impact the well-being of employees?

• Recognition of the work of employees:-  Employees tend to feel more fulfilled and satisfied in their jobs when their dedication, teamwork, and hard work are appreciated. In addition to this, employee recognition has the power to inspire the employees and make them realize that they are a crucial part of the company.

• Effective channels of communication:-   The smooth functioning of internal communication ensures that the employees read the content that they are meant to. Besides this, remotely working employees face the biggest struggle of lack of communication and collaboration. By facilitating seamless communication channels between employees, firms can alleviate one of the most crucial sources of work-related stress.

• Enabling easy collaboration:-  Some employees need to collaborate on projects in large teams and it is a source of stress for many employees. The process may get frustrating and tiresome if employees are not able to track each other’s work or are unable to assess their contribution to a larger project scheme. By enabling easier collaboration, these sources of stress can be alleviated.

• Making the employees feel heard:- Employees feel a sense of importance if they feel heard, their opinions are taken into consideration and the issues they face are addressed by the firm.

• Giving regular feedback:-  Timely and regular feedback can reduce stress caused by uncertainty on the part of employees if what they did was right or expected. Regular feedback can make employees feel appreciated and help them improve their performance.

• Being empathetic towards employees:-  Showing empathy towards the employees and having compassion towards the issues of employees creates an emotional bond between the employer and the employees, humanizing the workplace and making it a better place for everybody to work.

Strategies to improve the well-being of employees

Companies can adopt the following strategies to improve the well-being of employees

1.  Health Screening

Regularly providing health screening, even if for once per year is a great way for the employees to address some health-related issues they are unaware of but might have. In addition to this, it improves the health of employees by catching them at early stages and preventing them.

2.  Health insurance schemes

Health insurance schemes are a benefit that should be provided to employees by firms. What matters most is offering multiple insurances to employees so they can pick out the one that matches their specific needs the most.

3.  Psychological Counselling services

By offering psychological counselling services, a message is sent to the employees that their mental health is the concern of the firm, too. This will reduce the stigma associated with asking for psychological help and the employees will have access to mental health experts who can help them deal with their issues.

4.  Flexible working hours

Flexible working hours ensure less burden on employees and can ensure them a chance to efficiently handle their personal and professional lives.

5.  Financial Benefits

Many employees nowadays ask for life insurance policies, and benefits like pensions, student loans, or repayment options. Helping employees to make wise financial decisions for their future can help employers become more attractive to the employees. Putting employee wellbeing strategies into practice can improve the financial, physical health, and mental wellbeing of employees.

Conclusion

In today’s fast-paced corporate world, prioritizing employee well-being is not just an ethical responsibility but also a strategic advantage for organizations. A comprehensive approach to employee well-being that includes physical health, mental health, financial stability, and workplace engagement leads to lower absenteeism, increased presenteeism and productivity, and enhanced job satisfaction. Organizations that actively implement well-being initiatives, such as psychological counselling services, flexible work arrangements, and recognition programs, foster a supportive and thriving work culture and resilience.

To achieve holistic employee well-being, companies can partner with platforms like TalktoAngel, which provides oline counselling services connecting employees with the best psychologists in India. Integrating Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) can further support employees in addressing mental health concerns, reducing workplace stress, and improving overall Workplace Stress. By adopting these proactive measures, companies not only enhance the well-being of their workforce but also strengthen their brand reputation and long-term business success.

Contributed by: Dr. R K Suri, Clinical Psychologist & Life Coach &  Ms. Swati Yadav Counselling Psychologist

References

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• Guest, D. E. (2017). Human resource management and employee well-being: Towards a new analytic framework. Human Resource Management Journal, 27(1), 22–38. https://doi.org/10.1111/1748-8583.12139
• Nielsen, K., & Randall, R. (2013). Opening the black box: Presenting a model for evaluating organizational-level interventions. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 22(5), 601–617. https://doi.org/10.1080/1359432X.2012.690556