Wellbeing in the workplace has positive results for both employees and productivity

As companies prepare to welcome employees back to the office, be that in a hybrid, flexible way, a staged return, or a more traditional Monday – Friday routine, it’s vital that employees’ wellbeing is considered. Many people will be concerned and anxious about being in workplaces or travelling to work. Having an employee wellbeing and resilience strategy in place will not only make your staff feel supported and valued, it’ll have a positive impact on customer satisfaction and retention.

Wellbeing survey

Aon conducted a survey in partnership with IPSOS on global wellbeing and the results show a direct link between wellbeing and company performance. Among the findings of the 2021 Global Wellbeing Survey were these statistics:-

• Organisations that improve employee wellbeing performance by 3 per cent see a 1 per cent increase in customer satisfaction and retention.
• Organisations that improve employee wellbeing performance by 3.5 per cent see a 1 per cent increase in employee satisfaction and customer acquisition.
• Organisations that improve employee wellbeing performance by 4 percent see a 1 per cent increase in company profit and a 1 per cent decrease in employee turnover.

These figures show that wellbeing programmes and individual initiatives shouldn’t be a box ticking exercise. There needs to be a long-term people and performance strategy, using resources to achieve resilience goals over a sustained period.

In the UK, 91 per cent of the companies surveyed have wellbeing initiatives, but only 53 percent have a strategy in place. The survey claims that whilst wellbeing performance has a direct connection to a strong and focused wellbeing strategy, a series of standalone wellbeing initiatives have less impact.

Create resilience

A large part of wellbeing is resilience. Creating a workplace environment that provides security, motivation, and belonging, creates resilient staff. This enables them to adapt better to adverse situations, manage stress and retain motivation. As a result, they perform better at work.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, social unrest and a changing economy has made us more aware of the importance of wellbeing. Aon’s survey reveals that the main wellbeing risks affecting company performance are stress (67 per cent), burnout (46 per cent) and anxiety (37 per cent). Work-life balance was the top wellbeing issue, chosen by 65 per cent of respondents.

These wellbeing issues are currently the greatest risks for businesses and should be the focus of wellbeing strategies, encompassing multi-dimensional wellbeing, with an emphasis on workforce resilience interwoven throughout the people and business strategy.

It’s good to talk

Communication with your staff is key. Keeping people informed of what your business is doing will offer some security in very uncertain times. Knowing they’re valued and supported by their employer – and that you continue to prioritise their health and safety – will be pivotal to their wellbeing and, consequently, their productivity.

 

Contact us today and find out how our solutions can help you take the lead in fostering mental wellbeing in the workplace, transforming the working lives of your people.