With technology and social interconnectivity being what they are, the concept of workplace wellbeing extends beyond physical health. It encompasses mental, emotional, and social aspects that significantly impact employees’ overall satisfaction, productivity, and sense of belonging. Workplace community is a concept that can enhance employee wellbeing sitting alongside practical strategies for creating a positive work environment.
Why Workplace Wellbeing Matters
Productivity and Performance
A mentally healthy workforce is more productive. When employees feel supported and valued, they are more motivated to give their best effort. You've heard of absenteeism - the practice of regularly staying away from work without good reason. Presenteeism refers to the lost productivity that occurs when employees are not fully functioning due to illness, injury, or other condition. They may be physically at work, but may not be able to fully perform their duties and are more likely to make mistakes. Reduced absenteeism and presenteeism lead to better outcomes for both individuals and organisations.
Employee Retention and Recruitment
Companies that prioritise wellbeing attract and retain top talent. Job seekers actively seek out workplaces that promote a positive culture. Since the workplace changed overnight during the Covid pandemic, employees have been seeking workplaces in a new category: hybrid working. Hybrid working has been particularly advantageous for employees with families, and has been thought to enable a greater sense of work life balance. While many organisations are now straining against the hybrid working trend, prospective employees are actively seeking hybrid opportunities. Workplaces that prioritise wellbeing can build a strong sense of community and encourage loyalty and commitment among employees, in hybrid, remote and on-site models.
Physical and Mental Health
Spending a significant portion of our waking hours at work emphasises the need for a healthy environment. Workplace wellbeing directly impacts mental health, stress levels, and overall life satisfaction. Employees have the right to understand what is expected of them, and for this to be upheld fairly and consistently: clear expectations are essential for fostering a productive and harmonious workplace. When employees understand what is expected of them, they can align their efforts, contribute effectively, and work toward shared goals. Workplaces that prioritise health ultimately reduce anxiety, stress and conflict, encourage mutual accountability and a sense of purpose.
Change Capacity
A mentally and physically healthy workplace plays a crucial role in enhancing an organisation’s change capacity. Well employees are more open in communication exchanges and generally less resistant to change. A positive work environment fosters a sense of trust and cooperation, minimising blockages to new processes or structures. Positive environments exhibit resilience, coping and adaptability. The physical health of employees contributes to overall wellbeing, providing the energy and stamina needed during times of change. And wellbeing promotes creativity, innovation and problem solving. Healthy employees are more productive and engaged. They actively participate in change initiatives, take fewer absence days and get on better with leaders, who are setting a positive example.
Creating a Supportive Workplace Community
Building a community involves emphasising the commonality between people. Work cultures that understand and celebrate differences promote the sense that everyone is welcome, and every voice makes a difference. This can be a challenge for leaders: knowing how much attention to give the 'squeaky wheel' is an art form. However promoting diversity and actively combating discrimination or bias is a must.
Build trust through transparent communication. Regular updates, feedback sessions, and open-door policies promote a sense of community. Workplace leaders are essential community builders and should encourage active listening and empathy by modelling these behaviours.
Leaders further build community by enabling the bonding experiences available through team building activities. Events, workshops, and outings strengthen relationships, improve collaboration, and create a sense of camaraderie. This works by lowering formality, focussing away from tasks and on to people. Building a sense of unity between team members can make it possible to discuss the 'un-discussable,' opening up new problem-solving pathways and driving interpersonal accountability towards each member of the group.
Flexible work arrangements are becoming sought-after criteria for job seekers who appreciate work life balance and flexibility. Technology advancements have enabled a variety of work environments and options, and many employees simply no longer want the routine of 9 to 5. By offering flexible hours, remote work options, and family-friendly policies workplaces can retain talent, reduce turnover and thereby sustain their community building programs.
If building community means highlighting the commonality between it's members, these efforts benefit greatly from recognition and appreciation strategies. Acknowledging employees’ individual efforts and achievements - as well as those of the staff as a whole - is a great way to encourage a sense of belonging. Regularly expressing gratitude and celebrating milestones is a leadership behaviour that filters down through the ranks, and becomes embedded in team culture.
Prioritising Wellbeing
Promote physical health through eduction about regular exercise, healthy eating, and ergonomic workspaces. Encourage breaks and movement throughout the day. Provide access to mental health support via counselling services, stress management programs, and mental health resources, such as online articles. Actively aim to reduce stigma around seeking help for mental health concerns.
Supporting individual employee health means also promoting the health of the workplace as a whole. Build a healthy approach to work life integration through accepting that there are boundaries between work and personal life. Avoid allowing excessive overtime, as this can lead to burnout.
But prioritising wellbeing extends further into community engagement, both the workplace community, as well as the community beyond. Engagement with community occurs when people feel a sense of belonging, and they connect to others like them. This concept can be extended to engaging in community service or volunteering as a team; or participation in charity events or social impact initiatives. Leaders can also look at impacting the local communities immediately surrounding their organisation's physical sites and offices.
Case Study: Socialising to Success
I worked for an organisation that regularly promoted socialising and socialisation as part of its core values and product offering. It also prioritised environmental impact, gender equality, inclusiveness and mutual respect and understanding. This organisation regularly encouraged staff to volunteer through paid days of service, as well as through teams engaging in volunteering together. In this organisation, it was commonplace for employees to know almost everyone and to network informally, treating every team member as a friend. Respect between colleagues was the norm. As a result, this organisation had very high staff retention and a significant number of 'double-digit' service awards.
There is room for improvement in every organisational culture, but those that emphasise workplace community and wellbeing provide leadership with a mechanism that becomes a strategic advantage. By fostering a supportive culture, organisations can enhance employee satisfaction, boost productivity, and create a thriving work environment. And this builds an asset that pays dividends in the long run!
If you'd like to talk to Agencia Change about strengthening your workplace culture, book us for an initial chat using this link.
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