Well-Being and Safety: The New Drivers of Workplace Success - René Lumley-Hall
The effects of the pandemic have forever changed the way businesses operate. Being stuck in endless cycles of closures and re-openings, restrictions, and other disruptions, COVID-19 has completely shaken up the corporate world. After dealing with the loss of family and friends and dealing with mental health issues, workers are redefining their ideal work environment and culture. I recently read an article published by Corporate Wellness titled, Well-being and Safety: The New Drivers of Workplace Success that describes how the pandemic has shifted workplace expectations and how businesses can successfully adjust to these new changes.
Key shifts employers encountered as offices reopened were unoccupied workspaces and mass resignations; the pandemic hit employees hard and they are quitting their jobs in search of better ways of working and living. According to a recent Bureau of Labor Statistics report, 4.5 million people walked off their jobs in November 2021 — this number has exceeded pre-pandemic levels for eight months straight. “The great resignation is showing no sign of slowing down and is sweeping through all sectors of the job market at different rates; however, the motivation is the same: employees have forever redefined what ‘work-life’ truly means.”
“Employees no longer want to sacrifice their health, wellness, and safety for the company’s bottom line; they want their employers to prioritize their wellness, health, and safety as they do their company’s success.” The article outlines 3 ways companies can integrate these new drivers to attract and retain top talent.
Rethink Your Work Culture:
“Work culture dictates how employers perceive and interact with employees. According to the American Psychological Association’s Work and Well-Being Survey, 79% of employees experienced work-related stress resulting from toxic workplace culture, causing three in five workers to lose motivation and energy at work and leaving 36% of workers with cognitive fatigue.” In order to thrive in this post-pandemic era, companies need to focus on developing policies that drive both employee and corporate success. This starts with creating a work culture that promotes employee well-being and performance. In addition, companies need to focus on making the workplace more diverse and inclusive — encourage communication across all levels of the organization to build trust.
Remodel Workplace Wellness:
Following the trauma and burden of the pandemic, people are becoming more health-aware in efforts to lower their risk of health issues. With hybrid and remote work models on the rise, companies need to remodel their wellness initiatives to integrate virtual wellness programs — virtual fitness classes, webinars, mindfulness classes, virtual care, etc. With stress, anxiety, and burnout at an all-time high, the need for mental health offerings, both virtual and in-person, is needed now more than ever.
Safeguard Employee Health:
“Employers have prioritized their physical and emotional safety following the anxieties and fears that came with the pandemic.” Although cases of COVID-19 have been decreasing, there are new variants and sub-variants emerging; employees do not want to return to an office that causes their anxieties about the pandemic to rise. Companies need to implement workplace safety measures, such as regular deep cleaning of office surfaces and emergency response policies, that will keep the work environment safe and comfortable for employees to work in.
The changes brought by the pandemic were unprecedented, but we must be proactive in adapting to these changes in order to survive and thrive.
You can read the original article here.
