Given that most Americans spend the majority of their time in the workplace, it would be helpful if the environment was enjoyable and as a result conducive to our productivity. In fact, many employees would agree that they have stressful jobs and their workplace does not promote employee wellness.
Recently, more attention is being given to understanding the importance of employee well-being. Studies find that improving workplace wellness has great ramifications: it helps the organization in various ways, such as increased job satisfaction, productivity and morale, reduces turnover, absenteeism and presenteeism (coming to work sick).
The American Psychological Association identified five components of a psychologically healthy workplace.
1. Employee Involvement
A significant portion of employees feel controlled and powerless at their jobs. Such perception results in indifference and a lack of commitment to their organization. The helpful alternative for employers is to make employees feel more involved in decision making and autonomous while performing their jobs.
Tip 1: Help workers feel competent and at least partially in charge of their own work responsibilities. This can be done through self-managed work teams, employee task-forces or monthly support meetings.
2. Work-Life Balance
Many American workers would suggest that their work and personal life is unbalanced and teeters more toward work rather than home. If employees are preoccupied with work and as a result forced to neglect responsibilities at home, the quality of their professional work will suffer.
Tip 2: Reach out to employees to help create a better balance between work and home by offering options such as flextime, childcare, elder-care and financial management assistance.
3. Employee Growth and Development
Employees desire an employer that encourages worker growth and development and provides opportunities for advancement. The option to gain new knowledge, skills and abilities is a wise investment that ensures the growth and retention of the best employees and benefits the entire organization.
Tip 3: Providing employees with upward mobility within their organizations helps employees feel secure and confident in their roles and jobs as they stay abreast of the changes within their fields. This can be provided through continuing education courses, tuition reimbursement and leadership development programs.
4. Health and Safety
American healthcare is notorious for being primarily treatment-oriented, rather than focused on prevention. Employers can focus on prevention by providing a healthy workplace environment and teaching employees the essentials of fitness, nutrition and stress management. As employees take better care of their health they are less likely to miss work and have lower insurance costs. For a good example, visit Compare Quality Care now and check out the new standards in preventative healthcare. Loads is changing and stayin up to date is crucial.
Tip 4: Employees should be able to rely on their employer to provide the information and resources necessary to engage in healthy lifestyle choices. Programs that promote weight loss, smoking cessation and stress management can be extremely helpful. Ideally, employers could provide on-site or nearby access to a fitness facility or flexibility in hours to access fitness facilities.
5. Employee Recognition
Few things adversely affect employee morale similar to a lack of appreciation. By recognizing superior employee contributions, employers communicate that positive work is recognized and appreciated.
Tip 5: Employees can be recognized through a monetary bonus. Other cost-effective methods can be used such as awards and recognition ceremonies.
Source: Matthew D. Della Porta, Ph.D.
A.C.T. will provide free resource information for individuals and families to help promote education. For more information, please contact Dr. Drecun at Dr.Drecun@a4ct.com or (858) 792-3541. You may also visit us online at www.a4ct.com. ACT serves the Carmel Valley 92130 and Rancho Santa Fe 92067 area.
