Do you feel like you thrive in your workplace? Do you leave work feeling better than when you arrived?
Employee wellness is a hot topic right now. And smart brands are busy making sure negative trends like always-on work cultures, long hours and lunches al-desko don’t take a hold. They are investing in healthy workplace schemes. This is to help their people take better care of their physical, mental and social wellbeing. They are offering holistic programmes that complement traditional benefits and perks to create healthier and happier teams. These investments pay. Research by Bupa, for example, discovered that organisations that invest in employee wellness see a 46% reduction in the cost of employee turnover, a 19% the cost of sick leave and increased creativity and innovation.
How to embrace employee wellness
As with most voluntary initiatives, some organisations set the pace on embracing fresh thinking to help their people thrive at work. For businesses looking at implementing a programme in their workplace, it’s always helpful to learn from others who are leading the way. So, here are four inspirational brands doing great things to improve workplace wellness. Each brand topped the Sunday Times Best Companies To Work For 2019 list in their category for wellbeing.
Connect Catering (100 Best Companies To Work For)
Contract caterers Connect Catering are supportive of their well-fed employees who love a mid-week roast. For example, if a team member is uncomfortable in their workwear, they are quick to buy a replacement. When an employee is under pressure, managers respond to alleviate the situation. The business earned an 84% positive score for wellbeing. 81% of employees said that they have the right work / life balance and 86% of employees said their health did not suffer because of their work.
Bourne Leisure (25 Best Big Companies To Work For)
The leisure and holiday group which includes Butlins, Haven leisure and Warner Holiday Leisure Hotels, puts the health and wellbeing of its 6,266 staff at the heart of its employee promise. The group has introduced free yoga sessions at its HQ and team members enjoy quarterly fun events to keep morale high.
The organisation’s Grow Me, Keep Me scheme rewards employees that show great commitment, attitude and determination. They collect stamps on a loyalty card for extra rewards like experience tickets. Employees regularly meet at team recognition events to keep everyone engaged and connected. The group earned a 63% positive score for wellbeing.
Clarays – (100 Best Small Businesses To Work For)
Management consultancy Clarays helps its 90 employees feel less stressed. It organises monthly socials which include bowling and indoor climbing to encourage staff to get together. Employees also have free private healthcare, life assurance and subsidised gym membership. A DJ on Fridays helps staff celebrate the end of the week. 89% of employees are happy with their work / life balance and 95% don’t feel that their work is affecting their health.
Transforming Lives for Good (100 Best Not-For-Profit Organisations To Work For)
Children’s charity TLG recognises and rewards the contribution that its 70 staff make in helping to improve the lives of disadvantaged children and their families. The charity inspires and encourages a supportive team culture. Employees regularly receive praise and encouragement via email, text and regular one-to-one meetings. Also, outstanding contributions are celebrated at its annual award ceremony. TLG also schedules three wellbeing days each year for its staff to relax, have fun and recharge their batteries. 88% of employees are happy with their work / life balance and 94% of staff believe they can make a contribution to the growing charity’s success.
How are you doing?
These are just a few examples of how inspirational organisations are working hard to improve employee wellness. This can be anything from providing bowls of fruit to organising fun events to rewards and recognition programmes. If you’re looking at how you can encourage a healthier workplace culture and build a happier team, let’s talk to see how we can help.