DESIGNING A CULTURE FOR WELL-BEING SOLUTIONS AT WORK
Physical activity is typically one of the first things that come to mind when thinking about designing a worksite well-being program. We tend to directly associate exercise with good health. While exercise does plays an important role to a healthy lifestyle, there are also many other components that contribute to a robust worksite well-being program. Successful programs include policies and benefits designed for wellness, employees who can articulate their purpose, human-centric physical environments, thriving social networks, and leadership teams that foster the growth and development of a well-being culture.
Poor worksite design is often one of the major contributors to fatigue and frustration in the worksite reducing overall productivity and employee satisfaction. Encouraging employees to complete an ergonomic checklist and creating a plan to help improve their working environment can be one of the first steps to increased workplace satisfaction. A step further would be meeting rooms, work stations, and furniture that provide the flexibility to sit or stand while working.
For any given task, our productivity peaks, and subsequently declines as our energy and interest for the task are exhausted over time. A well-being culture has leaders who recognize when their staff members need a break before they show signs of exhaustion – “If you’re thirsty, you’re already dehydrated.” As a culture for well-being strengthens within your worksite, leaders will begin to recognize employee needs and encourage environments and schedules to accommodate their needs. Another way to complement the whole person well-being culture at work is designing comfortable break rooms that cause employees to relax – these are different than employee lounges or lunchrooms with fluorescent lighting and background television noise. These downshift lounges are designed like a person’s living room or den at home – where they are comfortable and relaxed – including comfortable furniture, calm lighting and even walls that say their employer cares about them!
Reviewing the everyday environment where employees spend most of their time creates a culture of well-being by environmental design and can be the stepping stone to incorporating other well-being solutions for employees.
The Blue Zones Project worksite pledge is designed to help employers create a space where employees are happy to come to work each day. Our team makes the healthy workplace, and workforce, achievable through onsite and in-person consulting.
Blue Zones Project would be happy to connect you to the tools and resources needed to improve your workplace environment, please contact Kelsie Cajka, Statewide Worksite Manager, at Kelsie.Cajka@sharecare.com with any questions.
Ready to launch a workplace well-being program at your office? Sign up here to learn more about Blue Zones Project.
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Learn more at hawaii.bluezonesproject.com
