A healthy workplace has a positive effect on corporate image and increases employee morale. It also attracts new talent, boosts productivity and leads to higher quality output.
Involving employees in designing the workplace and making it a healthier place helps them feel involved, valued and motivated to work hard. However, scientific research on interrelationships between health-supportive workspace characteristics and satisfaction, productivity and facility cost is scarce.
1. Physical Environment
The physical environment of a workplace is an important part of a healthy work environment. It includes factors like the size of a work area, whether all equipment is easy to reach and the amount of natural light. It also includes ergonomic furniture, healthy snack options and wellness amenities.
There are nationally mandated safety regulations that all businesses must follow. These regulations impact both the physical workspace and the psychosocial environment.
Workplaces that value health and wellness have seen a reduction in employee stress, absenteeism, illness, conflict and turnover. These environments also offer employees a safe, supportive place to learn and grow professionally. These companies often support community involvement and encourage physical activity. They may also provide healthy snack options and partner with local gyms.
2. Social Environment
Having an open line of communication between management and employees is crucial in building trust, which leads to a healthy work environment. Staffing agency Adecco recommends starting meetings by asking for feedback about the personal or professional lives of employees and sharing personal stories that impact productivity.
A social environment, also known as the milieu or social context, is the immediate physical and cultural setting in which a person lives, relates to others, and functions. It can include things such as an individual’s family, culture, social class, and neighborhood.
The review identified 176 unique social environmental codes/constructs and grouped them into nine dimensions. Each dimension was defined by a combination of related codes and measured by various methods (individual vs. aggregated to neighborhood). Codes were added inductively if authors specifically referred to them as the social environment or used different terminology.
3. Mental Environment
With employees spending a large portion of their lives at work, the mental environment that exists in an office can have a major impact on their well-being. A positive workplace will allow employees to thrive in their projects, while also staying healthy and happy. This type of environment is often characterised by a safe and comfortable physical space, open communication, and team collaboration.
Employees need to feel that they can bring their whole selves to the job. This includes personal matters such as grief, illness, relationships, family care, financial stress and more. Companies can support this by making it easier to talk about these issues and creating programs such as employee assistance programs.
Even something as simple as frequent and meaningful recognition can make a huge difference. It can give people a much needed boost in their day and help them feel like their work is appreciated.
4. Nutrition
The foods employees consume have a significant impact on their ability to focus and be productive. A healthy diet can increase productivity, while an unhealthy diet decreases it.
It is important for workplaces to provide healthy choices in the breakroom and vending machines. For example, replacing the sugary snacks with fruits and veggies can make a big difference in employee health.
Providing healthy food options is also beneficial for employee morale. A company that provides good nutrition will see a positive impact on employee satisfaction, lower turnover rates and higher profits. Offering a full range of wellness programs like discounted gym memberships, yoga classes and cooking lessons are ways to help employees live healthier lives. A happy and productive workforce is the best way to grow your business.
5. Exercise
Exercise can help employees stay more focused throughout the day, solve problems, be more creative and enjoy their jobs. It also helps them feel healthier, protects their immune systems and improves their quality of sleep.
It’s important for companies to encourage fitness in the workplace by educating employees and providing them with tools they need. They can do this by offering wellness programs, providing on-site gyms and encouraging walking meetings.
A healthy, happy workforce is in everyone’s best interest. By promoting a fitness culture, companies can lower absenteeism rates and save money on healthcare costs. Employees can do their part by exercising regularly and making it a priority in their workday. With the right workplace environment, they can become more productive than ever.
