This is a contributed post. However, all opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal view.
Nobody wants to come to a workplace that is bad for their health. This can obviously include a person’s physical health, especially where there are health and safety risks, but it can include a person’s mental health too.
It is the employer’s duty to protect the well-being of his or her employees while they are on-site, as certain things will be almost guaranteed when they do. These include:
- Greater productivity
- Increased chances of employee retention
- A better reputation
- A happier employee
In a business sense as well as a moral sense, the employer needs to be proactive when it comes to the care and welfare of their employees. In some cases, changes may need to be made, and these include the following.
Changes to the work environment. A drab working environment is nobody’s idea of a happy place, and it most certainly won’t do much to lift the mood of employees when they come into the workplace. The employer should make those changes that are within the realms of possibility within their working environment to improve the mindset of their employees.
They might decide on a new color scheme, for example, perhaps with those colors that can instigate a happier and more relaxed mood. These are in line with studies in color psychology that prove colors can influence a person’s mindset.
Finding ways to bring more natural light into the workplace should also be considered, as studies have shown it can boost both a person’s mood and energy levels. More plants around the workplace can also have an effect, as they can do much for the employee’s physical and mental health.
Changes to employee work schedules. When an employee comes into the workplace, they are coming to work and not lazing around. However, they shouldn’t be made to work overtime on too regular a basis, and they shouldn’t have to work throughout the day without the opportunity for breaks.
When an employee is made to work past their limits, they can become tired, stressed, and unproductive. In a worst-case scenario, it can even lead to burnout. The employer needs to be conscious of this fact, and they need to put things in place to protect the people in their care.
To prevent burnout, the employer should allow for the opportunity for more breaks in the day. They don’t have to be very long, as a few minutes at a time might be all it takes for the employee to exercise a little and steady their mind.
The employer could also find ways to streamline their employee workloads, as this way, there would be less need for them to work overtime.
And as remote working is becoming a constant (thanks to the pandemic at the time of writing) this might be something the employer considers in the long term. This will give their employees a greater work-life balance, without the stresses of the daily commute.
Changes to encourage a healthier lifestyle. We should all live a healthier lifestyle, and the employer can do much to encourage this in the workplace.
So, they might encourage opportunities for exercise during the day, especially if there is little opportunity for this in the tasks their employees have to accomplish. During break times, employees could be encouraged to go for a walk, or the employer could create more opportunities for exercise in the employee break room. The whole team could work out together at the start of the day too, with a few minutes of exercise led by the employer or a team member.
When it comes to lunchtime, the employer could buy healthier lunches for their team, and they could provide fresh fruit that could be accessible for lunch and throughout the day.
A water cooler could also be brought into the workplace, perhaps with printed bottles that can be labeled for each employee. Water is a natural way to boost energy levels, and it will prevent the employee from becoming dehydrated during the day.
And for the sake of team bonding and a healthier bunch of employees, the employer could start a sports team, or they could encourage such things as charity runs for the sake of their team and the wider community.
Changes to instigate a happier atmosphere. The happier the employee is, the better their mental health, and the better their productivity at work. We have already discussed a few ways in which the employee can become happier, but the employer should consider those other factors that could make a positive difference.
The first thing an employer can do is change the way they interact with their employees. An overly critical attitude is never going to do much for a person’s mood level, so employers might need to change this aspect of themselves if they are guilty of this approach. They might want to be more trusting of their employees too, as this will do much for employee self-esteem.
While employers will need to be firm occasionally, they need to realize that a leadership style born of aggression and criticism is not one that will instill positive feelings in their team
The employer should also be attentive to instances of workplace bullying. Research has shown that this can take a toll on an employee’s mental health, so the employer shouldn’t take this issue lightly. They might want to make changes to workplace policies to encourage against bullying, with a warning system in place for those who do. And they might want to be more approachable to their employees, perhaps with an open-door policy so team members can report instances of bullying.
These changes will reduce the chances of a toxic atmosphere developing in the workplace, and provide more scope for a happier workforce.
These are just some of the changes that will make a positive difference to an employee’s well-being. Should you be an employer, take note, and do what you can to make changes at your workplace. Your employees will be happier if you do, and you should experience the benefits of their improved mindset throughout your business.
