We need to stop paying lip service to the issue of workplace wellbeing

In the wake of Mental Health Awareness Week last month, now is a brilliant opportunity to take stock of impactful employee wellbeing initiatives. Many people feel their employers are guilty of ‘wellness washing’, the practice of paying lip service to wellbeing. However, the benefits of impactful wellbeing initiatives are clear – 89 percent of employees who have wellness programmes at work report being more engaged and happy within their roles. Taking a subjective approach by catering to employees’ needs can be transformational for employee satisfaction and, in turn, boost retention.
The implementation of wellbeing initiatives needs to run through the culture of an organisation and employers should ensure that wellbeing is at the heart of decision-making, instead of being a top-down strategy. Adopting carefully considered and communicated initiatives can add more value for employees than simply adding in amenities such as a bike rack or a breakout room and stopping there. Transparent internal communication and feedback are vital to allow organisations both to listen and adapt to individual employee needs.
Employee wellbeing should also start from day one to foster job loyalty and security. For instance, allowing flexible working requests from the beginning of employment and removing probation periods instils a crucial level of trust and care between employer and employee.
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