Are you a progressive employer looking for more ways to connect with your employees? It could be time to start taking employee wellbeing seriously.
Just last week we shipped hundreds of employee wellbeing care packs to a major employer’s team members. Including everything from games, bubble baths, delicious teas and branded merch – the message was clear – we care about you.
There are a number of things employers can do to demonstrate that they care about their employees’ health and wellbeing and we thought as a start, it would be helpful to share some simple tips.
Employee wellbeing plans
Do you have any documentation around what good looks like when it comes to employee wellbeing? And what sort of plans or third party support do you have in place for those who need extra support or advice? It’s important for employers to understand that employee wellbeing plans are not a one-size-fits-all solution and will require tailored guidance and resources.
Mental health awareness training
As an employer, it is essential to ensure your team members feel comfortable discussing mental health and this can be tricky. Many managers may be scared of saying the wrong thing or not knowing how to respond but it is important to provide them with mental health awareness training and the necessary resources. This can go a long way in tackling any underlying stigmas and allowing employees to feel comfortable discussing potentially sensitive topics. There is no point offering chocolates and tea if people are stressed, unable to communicate and unwilling to voice their feelings.
Provide opportunities for fitness, nutrition and wellbeing
It’s not all about providing benefits like gym memberships, but instead creating a work culture where wellness is encouraged. This could be offering employees the opportunity to participate in lunchtime walks or yoga classes, creating healthy snacks in the office kitchen or to even consider subsidising healthy meals.
Often called wellbeing perks, one of the most popular ways employers are showing they care about their employee is to ask what they need and to provide that.
Recent studies into employee wellbeing shows that employees feel most connected to their workplace when they are offered access to external support services. This could be anything from a professional development and coaching program, to a health and wellbeing package featuring yoga classes or personal trainers.
Work with the size of your business
Some large businesses like Google and Facebook offer office gyms, free medical check-ups and masseurs. However small businesses may find it difficult to implement the same level of resources. With that said, there are still ways for smaller organisations to show their employees they care about their wellbeing without having to make huge investments. For example, employers could offer flexible working hours or introduce a daily break.
Perhaps you simply want to provide regular employee wellbeing gifts?
The important thing is to find a way that works with the size of your business and your employee’s needs.
Ultimately, showing employees they are valued starts with creating an open dialogue and making sure that their wellbeing is taken into consideration at all times. Whether it be through providing additional resources, perks or simply taking the time to listen – there is no right or wrong way to show that you care about your employees’ wellbeing.
The most important thing is to find a balance between giving them the support and resources they need, whilst also ensuring their wellbeing remains at the forefront of what you do. Our employee wellbeing programme can provide the right gifts and rewards for your team, creating a bespoke gifting programme with thing like corporate hampers, flowers, experience days, and much more! enquire today to find out more.
