Ways You Can Promote Employee Self-Care
Ways You Can Promote Employee Self-Care
Do you find yourself pushing your employees to do more and more, without much emphasis on rest or self-care? Changing your company culture could benefit you. Encouraging employee self-care can boost morale, improve employee mental and physical health, and increase engagement. With engagement rates at 34%, according to Gallup, all companies have room for improvement. So try out these ideas from WellFests to help promote employee self-care among the workers in your office.
Offer And Promote Wellness Benefits
Review your employee benefits to ensure they promote wellness and health. Creating a comprehensive wellness program shows that you value self-care and your employees’ well-being. Consider these components:
Healthy snacks in the break room
Yoga or fitness classes
Health screenings
Wellness support groups
Company-sponsored recreational sports team
Employee assistance program
Talk about the wellness benefits frequently and encourage employees to use them.
2. Make Work Flexible
Flexibility in when, where, and how employees work can reduce their stress and increase productivity. A Gartner survey showed that having flexible working hours increased productivity for 43% of respondents. Being able to work at home or from other locations also helps — 30% of people said cutting down on the commute helps them be more productive. If the workload allows, consider creating a flexible working policy that gives employees more control to make the job fit with their lives.
3. Strongly Encourage Time Off
Paid time off is a common benefit, but not all employees use it. Make it clear that you strongly encourage — or even require, as long as no state laws prohibit it — employees to take a minimum amount of vacation time. Whether they enjoy a staycation or travel, your employees need a break from the office.
4. Focus On Stress Management
Stress from work affects 83% of employees, with 76% saying that stress boils over to their personal relationships. Help employees manage stress by reducing the workload and establishing realistic expectations. Hosting courses to help with mindfulness and stress management can give employees tools to help.
5. Respect Employee Time
Be intentional with the requirements and activities you expect of your employees. Valuing everyone’s time can reduce stress and gives employees more flexibility to get their work done. It also makes it easier for them to take paid time off. Some ways to do this include:
Implementing technology that streamlines or automates processes
Limiting meetings
Sticking to a strict meeting agenda
Eliminating redundant activities
Restricting when employees are expected to take phone calls, answer emails, or handle work responsibilities outside of work hours
6. Plan Healthy Team Events
Spend time bonding and working on wellness outside of work. Team bonding activities can help employees work better together. Search for healthy activities you can do as a team to incorporate wellness and team building.
Get employees active by creating a scavenger hunt or enjoy some outdoor activities, like hiking and kayaking, that encourage employees to be active.
Encouraging Healthy Employees
Promoting self-care keeps your employees healthier and happier, which can also improve retention, engagement, and productivity. So try out these suggestions right away and you’ll be amazed by the results!
WellFests seeks to provide Movement and Mindfulness for the purpose of improving physical and mental health and well-being for all. Why not schedule a consultation?
This article is brought to you by writer and health blogger, Ethel Lair.
