10 Simple Ways to Improve Employee Wellbeing in the Workplace

Employee wellbeing refers to the overall mental, physical, and emotional health of employees. Check 10 simple ways of improving your employee wellbeing and experience in the workplace!

Employee wellbeing is more than just a buzzword, it’s a key factor that can make or break your workplace culture. In this article, we’ll share 10 easy ways to improve employee wellbeing that you can start using right away. 

From offering employee health benefits to creating a more supportive workplace, these tips are designed to make a real difference. We’ll also show you how to track the impact of these changes, so you can see the benefits in action. Let’s get started!

What is employee wellbeing?

Employee wellbeing is the state of employees' overall health, encompassing their physical, mental, and emotional well-being, within the workplace. It includes factors like stress management, work-life balance, job satisfaction, and access to health benefits. 

A strong focus on employee wellbeing promotes a healthier, more engaged and productive workforce, contributing to both individual and organizational success.

Why is employee wellbeing important?

Employee wellbeing is essential for any organization, impacting the health of individuals and the overall performance of the company. 

When employees feel supported in their physical, mental, and emotional health, they are more likely to stay with the company, reducing turnover and recruitment costs. Gallup's research highlights that highly engaged people who are thriving in their careers are 32% less likely to be watching for another job. 

The importance of employee wellbeing also extends to stress management. A study covered by News Minute showed how stress levels among delivery workers have reached worrying highs, impacting their overall wellbeing and job performance.

Companies that address these stressors by offering better employee health benefits and creating supportive environments can mitigate these negative impacts, ultimately boosting retention and performance.

10 simple ways to improve employee wellbeing

A focus on wellbeing can significantly impact both employee retention and performance, making it a critical component of any successful business. Below are 10 simple ways to improve employee wellbeing that can be easily implemented in the workplace to ensure a healthier, happier and more engaged team.

1. Implement a comprehensive employee health benefits program

Offering medical, dental and mental health benefits is highly important for employee wellbeing and the overall success of a business. These benefits ensure employees have access to necessary healthcare services, helping them maintain their physical and mental health. 

2. Encourage work-life balance

Work-life balance is essential for preventing burnout and increasing overall job satisfaction. Companies can encourage this by offering flexible scheduling, allowing for remote work, or implementing shorter workweeks. These measures help employees better manage their personal and professional lives.

3. Promote physical health initiatives

Encouraging employees to prioritize their physical health can lead to long-term benefits for both individuals and the company. Consider offering gym memberships, sponsoring wellness programs, or even hosting in-office yoga sessions. These initiatives promote physical activity, which can reduce stress and improve concentration.

4. Create a positive work environment

A positive work environment helps to alleviate stress and fosters a sense of belonging. By cultivating a supportive and inclusive culture, companies can ensure that employees feel valued, heard, and encouraged to contribute, leading to higher engagement and job satisfaction.

5. Offer mental health support

Providing access to counseling services and stress management programs can significantly impact employees' mental wellbeing. These programs show employees that their emotional health is a priority, which can reduce stress and improve their work experience.

6. Provide learning and development opportunities

Investing in employee development boosts confidence and job satisfaction. Offering skill-building opportunities, whether through workshops, courses, or mentorship programs, enables employees to grow professionally and feel more engaged with their work.

7. Support financial wellbeing

Financial stress can negatively impact both mental and physical health. Companies can offer financial literacy workshops and savings programs to help employees better manage their finances, reducing stress and improving their overall wellbeing.

8. Encourage social connections

Team-building activities and social events can foster a sense of belonging and improve collaboration. By encouraging employees to connect on a personal level, companies can build stronger, more cohesive teams that work better together.

9. Measure and track wellbeing programs

Regularly collecting feedback on wellbeing initiatives ensures they remain effective and relevant. Conduct surveys, hold one-on-one check-ins, and use the data to make adjustments that meet employees' evolving needs.

10. Set the example at the leadership level

Leadership plays a key role in promoting employee wellbeing. Leaders who model behaviors like prioritizing health, taking breaks, and supporting work-life balance set the tone for the entire organization, encouraging employees to follow suit.

BONUS: Provide easy access to healthy meals with picnic

Offering quality, diverse meals at the workplace can enhance employees' physical and mental wellbeing. Partnering with services like Picnic, which delivers fresh, healthy meals from local restaurants without delivery fees, makes it easy for employees to maintain a balanced diet. 

This aligns with workplace wellness initiatives, promoting better nutrition and overall health during the workday.

The 7 domains of wellbeing

The seven domains of wellbeing represent different aspects of an individual's overall health and balance, each contributing to a thriving, productive life. These domains can be addressed through various workplace strategies:

1. Emotional wellbeing: this relates to how well individuals manage stress, emotions, and maintain mental resilience. Offering mental health support such as counseling services or stress management programs helps employees strengthen their emotional wellbeing;
2. Physical wellbeing: focusing on physical health is vital for overall energy and productivity. Strategies like promoting physical health initiatives, such as gym memberships or wellness programs, encourage employees to stay active and healthy;
3. Social wellbeing: social connections at work create a sense of belonging. Encouraging these connections through team-building activities and fostering a positive work culture strengthens social wellbeing, improving collaboration and morale;
4. Occupational wellbeing: this domain is about having job satisfaction and opportunities for professional growth. Providing learning and development opportunities allows employees to develop their skills, contributing to both their career fulfillment and occupational wellbeing;
5. Environmental wellbeing: a safe, comfortable, and supportive workplace environment can enhance productivity. Creating a positive work environment by fostering inclusivity and reducing stressors helps employees feel more comfortable and engaged;
6. Financial wellbeing: financial security is key for reducing stress. Offering support such as financial literacy workshops and savings programs helps employees manage their finances, promoting financial stability and reducing anxiety;
7. Spiritual wellbeing: this domain involves finding purpose and meaning in life, often linked to personal values. Encouraging a work culture that aligns with employees’ values or providing flexibility for personal reflection can support spiritual wellbeing.

By addressing each of these domains, businesses can create a comprehensive wellbeing strategy that supports employees and boosts overall performance and retention.

How to measure employee wellbeing

Measuring employee wellbeing effectively requires a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods. One common approach is through employee surveys, where staff are asked about their job satisfaction, stress levels, and work-life balance. Surveys provide a broad view of how employees perceive their wellbeing and the effectiveness of initiatives in place. 

Another valuable method is holding feedback sessions, where employees can share their experiences and suggestions in a more personal setting. This approach fosters open communication and can uncover areas for improvement that might not be captured through surveys.

Tracking absenteeism and turnover rates also helps measure the success of wellbeing programs—improvements in these areas often indicate that employees are healthier and more engaged. 

Additionally, monitoring the use of wellbeing resources, such as gym memberships or counseling services, can show how much employees value these offerings. These methods provide a clear picture of how wellbeing initiatives are working and highlight areas for potential improvement.

Start implementing employee wellbeing initiatives in your company today

Employee wellbeing is not just about enhancing morale, it directly impacts productivity, retention, and overall company success. By implementing strategies such as health benefits, mental health support, and promoting work-life balance, companies create an environment where employees thrive. A focus on wellbeing leads to happier, healthier teams who are more engaged and committed to their work.

To take proactive steps, companies can start by offering simple yet impactful initiatives, like providing easy access to healthy meals through services like Picnic. Whether it's through wellbeing programs or thoughtful perks like healthy meal options, every step taken toward employee wellbeing benefits both the individuals and the business.