In today’s rapidly evolving work landscape, where not only has remote working become the norm for many organisations, but 80% of the world’s workforce is deskless, understanding how to prioritise the wellbeing of staff members is vital. And it’s essential to create a supportive environment that promotes all aspects of their health – physically, mentally, and emotionally.
In this article, we explore five key strategies your organisation can adopt to prioritise the wellbeing of its workforce, regardless of each individual’s location.
Establish a culture of work-life balance
Organisations should cultivate a culture that values work-life balance, no matter how or where people work from. Encourage employees to maintain healthy boundaries between work and personal life by promoting flexible working hours where possible, encouraging breaks, and discouraging excessive overtime.
Foster an environment that recognises the importance of self-care, ensuring employees have the time and space to recharge and engage in activities that promote their wellbeing.
Provide resources for mental health and wellbeing
Prioritising mental health and wellbeing is paramount in any work environment, but providing resources and support systems that cater to the diverse needs of employees is even more important.
Consider offering access to mental health programmes, counselling services, or online resources that address stress management, mindfulness, and resilience, as a way to help individuals understand what support is out there for them.
However, it’s also a good idea educate employees on how to spot the signs of mental health struggles and how to reduce the stigma surrounding it, so employees can support their peers. This can be done by organising workshops, training sessions, or creating an awareness campaign to encourage open conversations and destigmatise the act of seeking help.
Invest in learning and professional development
Investing in the growth and development of employees is a powerful way to prioritise their wellbeing and foster a learning culture that promotes curiosity, innovation and career advancement, regardless of their location.
Offer opportunities for skill enhancement through training programmes, workshops, or online courses. You can also encourage employees to set personal and professional goals, and provide them with the necessary resources to achieve them.
Communication and connection
Ensure employees have the tools and technologies to stay connected with their colleagues and managers. For example, encouraging regular check-ins, virtual team-building activities, and collaborative projects to foster a sense of belonging.
Similarly, for on-site employees, create opportunities for open dialogue and regular team meetings to maintain strong communication channels and ensure everyone feels heard and supported.
Encourage physical wellbeing
Regardless of whether employees are working on-site, remotely, in the field, or from home, their physical health should always be a top priority. Encourage regular physical activity by providing resources such as access to online fitness programmes, virtual fitness challenges, or funding gym memberships.
You can also promote ergonomic practices and provide guidance on maintaining proper posture and workstation setups – especially for those who are desk-based – as well as encouraging breaks for stretching and movement throughout the workday to prevent sedentary behaviour.
Prioritising employee wellbeing is an essential responsibility for organisations, irrespective of whether their employees work remotely, on-site, or are classed as ‘deskless’. By establishing a culture of work-life balance, providing sources for mental health and wellbeing, investing in learning and development, and proactively encouraging communication and physical wellbeing, organisations can create an environment that promotes the overall wellbeing of their workforce.
And, by doing this, a more positive work environment can be created, enhancing productivity, retention, and employee satisfaction.
Not sure where to start on your employee listening journey and want to learn how to meet the wellbeing needs of your workforce? Get in touch with us today by completing the form below.