As HR manager, you want to make sure that you have a happy and productive workforce. One way to achieve this is by fostering a healthy work environment. Improving the well-being of your employees will not only boost motivation and employee morale, but it also decreases absenteeism and a high turnover rate. The best part is that you don’t have to do a complete overhaul. Just by implementing some small changes, you can start creating a healthy workspace.
How does your company rate when it comes to providing employees with a safe and healthy work environment? The best way you can analyse this is by creating an employee satisfaction survey. You can even ask your employees to rate a list of items from 1-10 on how much they value each in the workplace. It’s things like this that many HR managers fail to focus on, but not because they don’t care, rather, they lack the time to concentrate on anything other than their HR processes. The next time you perform an audit on your HR processes, it’s worth adding a field that includes a focus on the workplace environment within your company.
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Let’s take a look at some of the most simple, yet often overlooked ways to create a healthy workplace environment.
Ways to Establish a Healthy Work environment
Tips to create a healthy work environment:
- Offer Healthy Snacks
A simple way to promote a healthy lifestyle is by swapping processed foods with healthy alternatives.
- Encourage Physical Activity
To encourage physical activity, you could invite employees to go for a walk during lunch breaks or take a moment to stretch.
- Provide Comfortable Office Space
To provide your staff members with the best working conditions, you have to ensure the right air circulation and lighting system.
- Build Connections
Building a foundation of trust, encouragement, and honesty is essential in stimulating a healthy work environment.
Offer Healthy Snacks
The afternoon dip often causes employees to resort to an unhealthy snack such as a soda, chocolate bar, or a bag of chips. While an occasional treat doesn’t hurt anyone, overindulgence could have a negative impact on the health of your employees. A simple way to promote a healthy lifestyle is by swapping these processed foods with healthy alternatives. Offering fresh fruits could help employees make small dietary changes that will improve their overall health.
Encourage Physical Activity
Studies have shown that thirty minutes of exercise per day can already significantly improve physical as well as mental health. However, most employees spend a good part of their day sitting behind their desks. To encourage physical activity, you could invite employees to go for a walk during lunch breaks or take a moment to stretch. Additionally, you could organise sports activities on a regular basis. These exercises are not only beneficial to the employees’ health but also stimulate team-building.
Provide a Comfortable Office Space
You should not underestimate the effects that the workplace environment has on employee satisfaction. Fluorescent lighting and poor ventilation can cause headaches amongst other health issues. To provide your staff with the best working conditions, you have to ensure the right air circulation and lighting system. Consider adding plants to your office. These do not only function as decoration but also help to improve air quality.
Build Connections
Employees spend a significant amount of time inside the office. It is only natural that there are going to be days where situations in their personal lives are going to interfere with their work. Showing compassion and support can help your employees deal with their emotions. Ultimately, building a foundation of trust, encouragement, and honesty is essential in creating a healthy work environment.
