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Integrated Studio
Today is the day to start! Many of us say we will start tomorrow, but what if it affects your employees well-being and your business’ financial wellness? Supporting health, wellness and nutrition in your business may be what drives your retention and recruiting. That makes us want to start today!
Businesses are finding that employees appreciate these benefits equally or more important than their salary alone. Fitness memberships or stipends for memberships have been common in the past for employee well-being, with some companies providing this within their properties. Physical health is important, but mental health and personal wellness are becoming critical to work-life balance as the workplace dynamic evolves.
DID YOU KNOW:
- Approximately one third of our lives are spent working.
- We should be considering our health at the workplace, equally important as wellness in your personal life.
- Posture, natural light and biophilic design play a significant role in workplace satisfaction.
WORKING REMOTELY AND EXPECTATIONS
The pandemic is somewhat responsible for the new perspectives on these work benefits although one study by Steelcase showed a 12% drop in employee work-life satisfaction. Working from home or other locations outside of the workplace is expected now by many employees, particularly the younger generations. This is one of the evolving wellness benefits many people deem necessary in order to filter out the “noise” or support personal needs.
In balancing this, leaders are still seeing the need to have that face to face interaction. The trust that is built by socializing around the water cooler, or meeting for coffee could start to dissipate if working remotely is not carefully configured. Keeping that in mind, the days of ‘you aren’t working if you are not in your seat’ do not fit the current trends in workplace wellness. In reverse, employees value seeing leadership in the office.
ERGONOMICS
When we think of posture we think of chair ergonomics, but it is much more than sitting up straight. Posture includes standing opportunities and the freedom to sit in a lounge position, relaxing your body for a moment. Many companies are catching on to the benefits of sit to stand desk features. This is not only great for the chance to stand, but it gives individuals control over their standard desk height. Someone that is 6 feet tall has a very different desk height requirement than someone 5 feet tall.
NATURAL LIGHT
As humans we generally spend 80%-90% of our time indoors. Artificial lighting was a great invention, but nothing compares to natural light when it comes to well-being. The Harvard Business Review noted that access to natural light soars to the number one spot for employee happiness. Everyone wants a view of the outdoors from their position in the work environment.
Scientifically, natural light improves employee productivity and attendance. Employees are then more engaged leading to financial wellness of the company.
Integrated Studio
BIOPHILIA
Biophilic design in the built environment brings outdoor elements inside. This focuses on design including plant life, natural materials and again, natural light. Including plants in the office landscape connects us more to nature. The relationship to nature affects stress and positive vibes of employees. With this connection, productivity increases and more people are excited to work in the office.
TELE-HEALTH
In addition to the design of the built environment, businesses are now considering supporting employee health by offering tele-health options that can provide mental health counseling, fitness support and other health needs. Being able to schedule an appointment and stay on site benefits both the employee and the employer as staff does not have to take time from their workday to leave and come back. Private rooms that commonly accommodate nursing mothers, private wellness and prayer are great locations to support the wellness of employees.
Cultivating a healthier environment by implementing strategies to improve wellness in the workplace benefits the overall wellness of the company. Consider small changes to improve your wellness program and start to see the benefits reflected in tangible and intangible ways. These ideas can lead to better recruitment and retention in your organization and you will likely see productivity increase ultimately reflecting financial gains.
