Our new blog series tackles the many issues in obtaining A Healthy Workplace. Please enjoy.
The average working American spends quite a bit of our waking hours earning a living. While the majority of us would say the typical work week is defined as 40 hours, the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates the average person in the U.S. actually spends closer to 45 hours per week on work-related activities. With such a significant chunk of time spent away from the comforts of home, friends, and family, work should be a place that complements the rest of an employee’s life. Unfortunately, the office is not always the positive work environment that leads to creativity and success that it should be.
The average working American spends quite a bit of our waking hours earning a living. While the majority of us would say the typical work week is defined as 40 hours, the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates the average person in the U.S. actually spends closer to 45 hours per week on work-related activities. With such a significant chunk of time spent away from the comforts of home, friends, and family, work should be a place that complements the rest of an employee’s life. Unfortunately, the office is not always the positive work environment that leads to creativity and success that it should be.
While health and wellbeing in the workplace is not a new idea (it’s been on our radar for years), some companies just pay more attention to it than others. The starting point for many firms began with a concentration on the physical health of employees and an emphasis on fitness and nutrition. Over the past few years, the focus has grown to include broader attention to employees’ general wellbeing of physical, emotional, and mental health.
So, why should employers be concerned with this topic? Here are a few reasons…
Improves Productivity
We are always looking for new ways to be more productive. When we are able to operate at maximum efficiency, we can get more done, achieve our goals faster, and create strong foundations for our companies to build on. But getting an entire team to be productive is quite another challenge. Productivity in the workplace is something many managers and professionals struggle with. Trying to encourage employees to work harder and stop wasting time can be frustrating. However, if employees find it difficult to be productive at work, it may be a sign that something is wrong with the culture of the office.
When someone dreads going into work, they are going to drag their feet all day, likely starting by being late. They will check the clock to see if it is quitting time yet. They will do the bare minimum, never caring enough to go above and beyond. However, if you establish a work culture that employees are excited to be part of, they will be happier with their jobs. Happier employees are more likely to exceed expectations, meaning your entire office can get more done.
Promotes Greater Efficiency
The energy of a healthy working environment can only come from a great infrastructure. Workplace environment has a direct impact on the human mind. It does not just boost productivity but also helps the employees work more efficiently. It also keeps them focused and more interested in doing their parts so that the business keeps growing.
Encourages Collaboration Among Coworkers
In a positive work environment, employees will feel encouraged to get to know their coworkers and team members. When everyone is interested in chatting, spending time in the office and truly getting to know the people they spend each day with, people can feel more comfortable sharing ideas, opinions and tips. Collaboration is a huge part of creating a productive work environment. When everyone on your team is working together to solve problems and be more efficient, you are able to get things done faster. Collaboration and communication between team members can also ensure everything is moving smoothly and in the right direction.
A positive work environment can improve relationships between co-workers; a friendly and non-judgmental atmosphere will result in more discussions and ideas being expressed. Thus, more opportunities for you to gain business and improve internal relationships.
Inspires Creativity
A positive work culture encourages individuals of all experience levels to become invested in their work tasks and projects. When employees feel like they can speak up about what they think is the best idea for solving a problem or making a product or service better, they will feel open to discussing their creative ideas. These fresh perspectives are always important for being productive.
Encourages Loyalty and Retention
When employees are happy with their jobs, they are also more likely to stick around! Based on research by the American Institute of Stress, workplace stress leads to an increase of nearly 50 percent in voluntary employee turnover. Conversely, happy and engaged employees create a 20 percent increase in productivity and are nearly 90 percent more likely to stay with their employer. Moreover, organizations with a positive workplace also experience lower absenteeism and fewer employee complaints.
In a nutshell: Boosting the quality of the workplace environment is guaranteed to make your employees happier, healthier, and more satisfied at work – thus encouraging them to stay at their jobs, creatively collaborate with their coworkers, and overall perform to the best of their abilities!
If your company is struggling with culture issues, then please contact me. I know great consultants that help define, plan, and assist in turning it around. And when you need to change your office environment, we can look at the best feasible way to get your goals accomplished.