4 Ways To Improve The Health of Your Employees

A happy worker is a productive worker. As an employer, you have a responsibility to ensure the physical and mental wellbeing of your staff. No one wants to work in a negative environment, especially considering the office is where many people spend the majority of their waking life. Emphasizing the importance of wellbeing is not only beneficial for employees; it will have a positive impact on your business too. When a worker is less stressed, healthier, and happier, they will inevitably be more productive. Therefore, a team with high levels of wellbeing will ultimately result in a more profitable business.

There are several initiatives you can take as an employer to improve the health of your workers. Here are just a few easy ways you can start prioritizing wellbeing today.

Allow a better work-life balance

When you work for eight hours a day with a busy commute either side, you often have little time for exercise, nutrition, and relaxation. This causes workers to neglect their health and arrive at the office feeling exhausted and stressed. By allowing staff a little more flexibility in their working schedule, you will give them more time and freedom to take care of their health. Perhaps they could take on flexible hours or work from home occasionally. Without the lengthy rush-hour commute, they will have a lot more room in their schedule to hit the gym, cook a healthy meal, or simply wind down after work.

Provide healthy snacks

Most offices provide tea and coffee and the occasional calorific birthday cake, but very few take steps to encourage healthy eating. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but many busy workers sometimes neglect their morning meal and grab an unhealthy pastry on the way to the office. But if you have a selection of fresh fruit and healthy cereals available, you will encourage your employees to adopt better eating habits. Try to limit the cookies and other sweet treats to special occasions and consider installing a water filter in the office for healthier hydration. Visit filtap.com.au for affordable water filtration solutions.

Reduce sitting and screen time

Sitting at a desk staring at a computer screen from Monday to Friday is a sure way to develop health problems later on in life. The strain on your eyes and back will be immense and gradually worsen over time. Encourage employees to be more active throughout their day. Enforce regular breaks in which employees can stretch their legs and rest their eyes or have standing meetings where possible. As an employer, you should lead by example and do the same.

Reduce stress

Stress is one of the biggest health problems for any office worker. Busy schedules and tight deadlines can cause employees to feel overwhelmed and could lead to burnout. Make mental health a priority in your workplace. Check in with staff regularly to discuss their workload and whether they are taking on too much. Some companies offer Mental Health Days where an employee can take a day of paid sick leave to focus on their mental well-being.