Four Inexpensive Ways to Boost Employee Well-‐Being A recent study by Tomas A. Wright, a professor of management at Kansas State University of several that suggest that employee well-‐being is directly related to worker productivity. Workers who are generally happy are better able to concentrate on effective decision-‐making, more motivated to put a high level of effort into a project, and are more likely to stay at the same job for a long period of time. Improving employee well-‐being may be crucial for the success of any organization, but it does not always have to be a major undertaking that costs a company thousands of dollars in special workshops, retaining, and hiring of experts in organizational psychology. Here are five simple ideas for boosting employee well0being in any workplace. 1. Relax that Dress Code Years ago dressing for success was all the rage. The prevailing thought was that starched white collars and expensive suits were a key element in getting a promotion or impressing that much sought after client. The bright, talented workers of today’s world have proven that creativity and ingenuity count far more that a silk tie. Google, Microsoft and countless other companies that have enjoyed enormous success in recent years are well know for their policy of allowing workers to dress in a casual style. Allowing workers to dress in the clothes that make them the most comfortable can go a long way toward promoting employee well being without costing the company a cent. Dressing in a preferred outfit will eliminate the type of distractions that scratchy nylons or tight tie can cause. It can help the employee focus on the more important aspects of their work. It also contributes to employee well being by giving the worker greater personal control. In tough economic times the ability to wear a more casual dress on a daily basis can also relieve the stress of having to buy an expensive wardrobe. 2. Discourage Gossip One thing that can really damage well-‐being in the workplace is when employees talk negatively about other employees. Offhand comments about another employee’s dress, hairstyle, weight, or work performance can create a hostile and negative environment for the entire organization. This does not mean that honest and constructive opinions about work related issued should be stifled, but talk should remain positive and professional. Pleasant and friendly small talk should
be welcomed so that employees can fell comfortable working with one another. Constant complaints about fellow employees or talking about others behind their backs can hurt the morale of everyone involved. Maintaining a positive environment can easily be discussed at a meeting or stressed in other ways without costing the company. 3. Provide Opportunities for Physical Fitness It stands to reason that good physical health, contributes to emotional well-‐being. If we feel energized, eat healthy foods, and are free of illness or pain, we generally feel better about ourselves, and our productivity increases. Staying in good physical shape can be a challenge for anyone who regularly puts in a full workweek, particularly in an office environment. If your organization already provides exercise equipment that employees to use at lunchtime or during breaks, that is good step towards encouraging fitness. However, helping employees to stay healthy does not necessarily mean investment in expensive equipment. Simply creating an environment that supports and emphasizes fitness can go a long way. Make sure your employees have ample time to take breaks from sitting throughout the day. Provide healthy snacks during meetings. Let employee group to enter classes near the workplace. Form an employee group to enter a 5k. The company can even provide a half hour group fitness period at the beginning of the workday. While this may seem like thirty minutes of lost productivity, it is actually a long-‐term investment. Healthier employees take fewer sick days and time off for medical appointments. They will also be more productive when they are working. 4. Give Employees More Autonomy Some supervisors find it difficult to let their employees handle even the smallest projects on their own. While support and guidance of employees is needed in any organization, no employee likes to have someone constantly looking over his shoulder. Such micromanagement can cause an atmosphere of extreme anxiety. Employee well-‐being is high when employees feel that they have a relationship with the company that is based on mutual trust. It is better to deal with individual mistakes on an individual basis as opposed to putting all employees under the microscope. This is another type of simple adjustment that will not cost a dime and can increase productivity. Summary
Studies have shown that employee well-‐being is directly related to workplace productivity. Boosting employee morale does not have to be difficult or costly. This article presents five simple ways organizations can contribute to the well-‐ being of their employees. You can find more information on this website http://employeesengagement.wikidot.com/