Just like your business is growing and changing, so are the needs of your employees! As an employer, it’s your responsibility to understand and even anticipate what your employees need to be healthy, happy, and successful at work (easier said than done). So, what do your employees need in 2024? We’re here to help break that down.
It all starts with understanding the concept of creating a culture of health. Creating a culture of health is NOT about checking off boxes. It’s about recognizing the deep connection between a healthy workforce and a thriving business. Here’s five simple steps you can take to start cultivating the culture you want:
#1 Prioritize Mental Health
Companies that invest in creating a workplace that cares about mental well-being see some serious perks: think better employee health, increased engagement, and lower stress levels.
Mental Health America's latest work health survey found that 81% of us feel the weight of workplace stress on our mental health, up from 78% in the previous year. And it's not just a work issue – 73% say this stress spills over into our relationships with family, friends, or coworkers. Trying to leave work stress at the office? That's a real challenge for most. After a tough day, many of us have come home in a stress spiral.
Prioritizing mental health isn't just a feel-good move; it's a smart business strategy that leads to a happier, more resilient, and ultimately more successful team.
Not sure if your organization is actually prioritizing mental health? Here’s some questions to ask yourself:
- Do my employees have access to affordable mental health services?
- Do my employees feel safe and supported at work? How do I know?
- What trainings do I offer my leadership team to ensure healthy and productive communication?
- How do I monitor and measure the happiness of my employees?
- How do I collect this feedback from my teams?
- What other strategies have I implemented to improve my employees' overall mental health?
#2 Shift to Holistic Wellness
Holistic health is the act of looking at health from a well-rounded perspective, considering different aspects of well-being, including the physical, mental, emotional, social, intellectual, and spiritual. These aspects of our lives are all interconnected. So even if your employees are “healthy” in one aspect of health, like physical health, this doesn’t necessarily mean their entire wellness journey is on track.
You can implement a holistic approach for your employees by offering resources for stress management, mental health support, work-life balance, social connections, and financial literacy. Doing so can enhance overall health, happiness, and job satisfaction. Plus, it can help you attract and retain top talent.
#3 Utilize AI and Personalization
Does your current well-being program offer personalization? With AI technology, personalization means that employees can set their own health goals, choose activities, and set their own pace. This means that each of your employees can focus on what’s important to them and reach their goals. This encourages engagement and motivates employees because it’s specifically tailored to them! Best of all, AI makes it incredibly easy to implement the holistic approach we discussed above. Talk about a game-changer! With tech like this becoming more popular, employees will start to expect these offerings from employers. So, don’t fall behind!
#4 Provide Flexibility and Work-Life Balance
Ditch the generic one-size-fits-all approach and embrace flexibility. As we’ve seen post-COVID, more and more employees demand flexibility such as flexible hours, remote or hybrid work, and a focus on work-life balance. The mentality has shifted to “work smarter, not harder,” and employees aren’t necessarily going to be loyal to a company without what they feel is proper compensation and benefits. Flexibility is one of those benefits going into 2024 that simply can’t be ignored.
#5 Focus on Employee Engagement
Step one to focusing on employee engagement is to understand the difference between participation and engagement. While participation measures specific activities, engagement delves deeper into an individual's commitment and actions toward their own lifestyle behaviors. By focusing on how engaged your employees are, you can help ensure you’re not just checking boxes but investing in your employees' well-being! Amazing things happen when your employees feel humanized and supported.
2024 Is Looking Happy & Healthy!
Building a culture of health and wellness isn't a destination; it's a journey. And Wellvation is here to support you on this journey by offering highly personalized health initiatives grounded in trusted resources. Our commitment to a human-centered well-being experience, backed by decades of Mayo Clinic research, ensures that your organization's unique needs are met. Let’s talk and explore how Wellvation can empower your employees’ well-being!
