Providing the right tools and environment to help your staff feel happy and safe is the foundation of a good workplace. When people feel relaxed and enjoy their work environment they have higher productivity and engagement levels.
Many people tend to think of physical health when the term wellbeing pops up. And while it certainly includes things like exercise and nutrition, wellbeing is also about mental health.
So if you’re looking for new ways to boost morale in your workplace and improve your staff wellbeing, here are five top ways to do so.
Provide ergonomic office furniture
We know that spending hours a day sitting in an office can wreak havoc on your back and cause aches and pains. To reduce this effect, try providing ergonomic furniture in your office space.
Luckily there are a lot of comfortable furniture options available, so whether you are looking for occasional use meeting room chairs or long-term support chairs for office workers, you’re sure to find something to keep your employees comfortable.
Employees who are in good health will have fewer distractions to keep them from performing at their best and creating high-quality work. Also, when you invest in your employees’ wellbeing through ergonomic office furniture, you’re sending them a message that you care about them.
Display safety posters
Working in a company that doesn’t promote and follow good health and safety practices can not only reduce staff retention but also land you a large fine from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and cause far-reaching reputational damage.
You can avoid all these legal complications and promote staff wellbeing by closely following all the laws and guidance available, as well as displaying safety posters around your premises. This creates a positive and safe atmosphere for your employees.
Accurately and clearly showing hazards, evacuation routes and safety equipment and instructions are your legal and ethical responsibility.
Encourage exercise
Exercise is a sure way to improve staff wellbeing. Even a short burst of ten to 15 minutes’ brisk walking increases our mental alertness, energy and creates an overall more positive mood.
You can encourage your employees to get active in numerous ways within the office. Walking meetings are a great way to add a little movement and exercise into your schedule without sacrificing productivity.
Or you could invest in fitness gear to keep at the office. Place resistance bands and small hand weights in desks to allow staff to get a mini-workout in between their tasks.
Invest in braille signage
Over time many companies have welcomed changes that enable equal opportunities for everyone in the workforce. And, with over two million people in the UK living with sight loss or impairment, the use of braille signs has become important to staff wellbeing in businesses up and down the country.
You can put up braille signs in and around your workplace to improve accessibility for both staff and visitors. Remember to place them where they are easy to see and touch. Wherever you decide to place signs, ensure they visually contrast with their background so that those with low vision can easily locate them.
Provide freebies
This idea may seem a little out of the box, but who doesn’t love freebies? Showing your staff that you care by providing care packages (or even yummy treats!) can really boost mental wellbeing.
Giving them something tangible to look forward to makes them feel more valued in their jobs — as lack of visible progress can often lead to stress.