Workplace wellbeing is not only important for the individual employee, but it's also a crucial factor in the success of your organisation. By prioritising wellbeing and implementing concrete actions, both employees and employers can help create a healthy and productive workplace.
Why wellbeing at work is important?
When employees thrive, the organisation thrives. An atmosphere of wellbeing, engagement and motivation not only promotes job satisfaction, but can also be crucial to organisational success and employees' long-term careers. Let's take a closer look at why wellbeing is so important and how both employees and employers can help promote it.
Productivity
Wellbeing is a key factor in increasing productivity in the workplace. When employees feel comfortable and motivated, they are more likely to perform at their best and be effective in their tasks. This is shown in several studies, including “Wellbeing - a stronger Denmark” from the Job Satisfaction Knowledge Centre, sponsored by Kraka Advisory and Krifa. According to this study, employees who feel comfortable and motivated at work tend to be more productive and efficient in their tasks.
Lower absenteeism
A healthy workplace with a focus on wellbeing typically has lower absenteeism. Employees who feel well are less likely to get sick or take time off for stress-related reasons. You can read more about the link between sickness and poor wellbeing in our blog post here.
Increased employee retention
Companies that prioritise wellbeing tend to have higher employee retention rates. I “Wellbeing at work - a conceptual and ethical clarification” written by Christian T. Lystbæk, Development Department, VIA UC, it describes how well-being in the workplace can be an important parameter in relation to recruitment and retention of employees and managers. Satisfied employees are more likely to stay with a company in the long term, which reduces the cost of recruiting and training new employees.
Better work environment boosts creativity and innovation
Wellbeing creates a positive work environment where employees feel respected, valued and included. Several national and international studies point to this, including the trade union HK in their literature review of the link between wellbeing and productivity. When employees are happy and feel safe, they are more likely to think creatively and come up with innovative solutions to problems. In an environment where new ideas are encouraged and supported, creativity is more likely to flourish.
Concrete tips to promote wellbeing in the workplace
With these tips, both employees and employers can help promote wellbeing in the workplace, which will benefit all parties involved.
Tips for the employer:
- Conduct regular wellbeing surveys: By conducting both quantitative surveys and one-on-one conversations with employees on a regular basis, you can identify any challenges or areas for improvement.
- Promote a work/life balance: Introduce policies and initiatives that promote a healthy work/life balance, such as flexible working hours or home working options. A system to keep track of employee hours can also be a great tool to ensure that employees are not working too many hours.
- Organise team building activities: By doing team building activities, employees get to know each other better and understand each other's strengths, weaknesses and working styles. This can help to improve collaboration and increase the efficiency of working together.
- Recognise and reward: Recognise and reward employees for their efforts and results. A sense of appreciation can boost motivation and wellbeing. This can be done through a personal conversation where you as a manager elaborate on how the employee's efforts have contributed to the team or the company as a whole. In addition to recognition, you can also consider giving the employee a reward. This could be in the form of a bonus, gift vouchers, extra days off, or even a special work-related benefit such as the opportunity to attend a course or conference.
- Offer development opportunities: Offer courses, seminars or other training and development opportunities so employees can grow and develop both personally and professionally.
Tips for the employee:
- Strive for a healthy work/life balance: put work aside at the end of the day and prioritise time to relax, see family and friends and pursue your hobbies.
- Communicate openly: Be open and honest in your communication with management and colleagues. Share your concerns and ideas constructively and in a timely manner so they don't take up too much space.
- Cultivate relationships: Invest time in building good relationships with your colleagues, both by participating in activities planned by the workplace and possibly also by seeing them outside of work.
- Seek development: Strive for personal and professional development. Ask for training opportunities and be active in learning new skills and knowledge.
How digital time tracking can create clearer boundaries between work and leisure time
A digital time tracking system like Intempus can be a powerful tool for establishing, visualising and maintaining healthy boundaries between working hours and leisure time in the workplace. The system helps clarify expectations around the amount and location of working hours, and this transparency gives both employees and management a clear picture of when the working day starts and ends, reducing misunderstanding and conflict.
The system also provides a continuous overview of the (over)working hours that employees have had, which creates a better basis for the employer to organise future working hours to avoid overtime. Finally, a smarter and more automated time tracking solution makes the time tracking process more efficient and less time-consuming for employees. This can free up time to focus on other tasks or leisure activities outside of work.
Interested in a digital time tracking system?
With Intempus, you can get a customised and digital time tracking solution that helps you keep track of working hours, absence, overtime, driving, expenses and much more. Contact us for a no-obligation chat about your options at +45 26390400.
Sources: Krifa.dk, Aarhus University, HEADQUARTERS.
