Well-being at work : a major challenge for companies !

In recent years, we hear more and more about well-being at work, quality of life at work… According to a Wildgoose study conducted in 2017,61% of employees consider happiness and well-being at work more important than salary.

What is the well-being at work?

According to the official WHO definition, well-being at work is “a state of mind characterised by a satisfactory harmony between the abilities, needs and aspirations of the worker on the one hand, and the constraints and possibilities of the work environment on the other“.

We can also consider that well-being at work depends on the factors influencing the quality of life at work. It can be some building factors : safety of the premises, layout of the workspace, etc. But also interest in the tasks entrusted, prospects for professional development and growth, social relations, etc.

What actions should be taken?

Be flexible and give employees the freedom to organise their own schedules.
Give meaning to the work of employees and allow them to develop in their missions.
Encourage a good atmosphere with team building activities.
Offer additional services : concierge services, childcare, sports and wellness activities, etc.
Redecorate and rearrange the spaces to make them more comfortable : ergonomic chairs, green plants, paintings, etc.
Rethinking current spaces to create new ones that encourage exchanges and collaboration : flex office, break rooms, meeting bubbles, corpoworking and hot desking spaces, etc.

The objective for the company is to improve the employee experience within the building, but also at home. It can also set up an application (such as Sharvy) allowing employees to reserve a parking space or an office before coming to the site, or to the canteen at lunchtime. Thus, the employee knows, even before coming to the site, that he or she will be able to park, settle in at a given workstation and have lunch in the canteen. It will avoid the employee some stress and questions on a daily basis.

Which benefits for the company?

Ensuring the well-being and quality of life at work of its employees is a responsibility for companies and a major challenge. Among 22 different studies that looked at well-being programs and healthcare costs, the average return on investment was 3.27. This means that for every dollar that was spent on a Well-being programs, the company saved $3.27 because of reduced healthcare costs. (Source : Well Steps)

In addition, implementing actions and practices that promote well-being at work offers several benefits for the company. We can quote: increased productivity, greater employee commitment, reduced stress, improved employer brand image, etc.