Taking well-being at work seriously has become essential for every company. It is even regulated in some countries to ensure employees can thrive in their roles while remaining productive. Promoting well-being at work also helps reduce stress, since pressure from managers is better managed. The ultimate goal is to minimize physical, psychological, and psychosocial risks linked to stress while boosting employee performance. HR managers, as guardians of employee well-being, have a particularly important role to play here.
1. Atmosphere and company culture
Cultivating a positive atmosphere and company culture is crucial. This is one of the key reasons employees stay loyal to an organization. A good working atmosphere depends on effective communication and sharing — of information, of moments between colleagues, and of experiences. These factors build stronger relationships and foster a corporate culture based on shared values.
Company culture can be defined as “the set of shared values within a company that shape its operations, rules, habits, identity, and certain employee behaviors”. A friendly environment and strong corporate culture encourage well-being at work by strengthening social ties, creating a sense of belonging, and increasing employee happiness at work.
2. Working conditions
Workplace well-being also involves setting fair working conditions and providing a healthy environment.
This includes choosing office spaces that foster both comfort and productivity. Experts like Spliit help companies find locations that align with their actual needs.
Respecting working conditions — a responsibility that lies with HR — helps preserve good relationships between leaders and employees. It also contributes to performance and sustainable growth. Working conditions cover aspects such as contractual agreements, schedules (including remote work), workplace cleanliness, stress prevention, and equipment provided, from computers to coffee machines to snack dispensers.
To promote employee well-being, companies can also install eco-friendly snack dispensers with healthy options such as those offered by BulkBar. Nuts, seeds, and dried fruits are known to support focus, reduce stress, and make for ideal workplace snacks.
3. Autonomy and recognition
Giving employees a degree of autonomy is essential for building trust and encouraging initiative. It fosters communication and allows employees to express their ideas freely, which increases engagement across all levels of the organization.
Recognition also plays a vital role. Managers have the power to acknowledge employees’ efforts and celebrate their achievements. This recognition directly impacts motivation and overall well-being at work.
4. Equality
Professional equality — especially gender equality — has been a priority for many years and is an integral part of well-being at work policies. True equality means giving everyone the same opportunities to grow and succeed at work. While it is a legal principle, it is unfortunately not always respected in practice.
Inclusive and equitable workplace well-being initiatives aim to change this, not only regarding gender but also in ensuring equal opportunities for employees with disabilities or other challenges.
Conclusion
Well-being at work is a fast-growing concept and a cornerstone of modern working life. It encompasses atmosphere and company culture, working conditions, autonomy and recognition, and equality. Together, these factors are essential to creating a healthy and motivating work environment.
Workplace well-being is also a central pillar of compassionate management, which aims to increase employee happiness while improving performance. According to a study of 3,500 employees and 500 managers, nearly half of employees (49%) and over half of managers (53%) consider workplace well-being to be a major factor in both efficiency and productivity.
These elements should be fully integrated into any HR strategy and treated as part of a continuous improvement process. And today, the concept is expanding even further — many now speak of “Global Quality of Life”, since workplace well-being alone is no longer enough. Stay tuned for our upcoming article on this evolving perspective.
Published on 04/11/2022
