As an employer, you have an obligation to create a healthy workspace for your employees. Not only is it the right thing to do, but it will ultimately improve your bottom line. After all, people who are healthy and happy are typically more motivated and productive in their professional roles.
But what does a healthy workplace look like? What steps can you take to reduce stress in the office and help your employees live their best lives? One of the best ways is to focus on being good to the environment AND your employees at once. Here are 6 ways to get started on both goals.
3 Strategies for Creating a Healthy Workplace
Creating a healthy work environment involves paying attention to your employees’ physical and mental well-being. The good news is that making your office healthier doesn’t always have to mean expensive perks. Here are 3 strategies to consider.
1. Employee Health & Mindfulness Training Programs
Work can get stressful, no matter how much you love your job. Combined with other problems and pressures in life, people often feel overwhelmed and their health can suffer. Providing mindfulness and health training is a great way to invest in your employees and help them feel healthier, both mentally and physically.
2. Add Health & Sustainability Perks for Employees
Your employees deserve support for their physical and mental health. Think about ways you could support them in living healthier, more sustainable lives.
Could you subsidize yoga memberships, or provide virtual yoga class access, for instance? Provide nutrition classes or even a community-supported agriculture (CSA) subscription as a perk?
Different options will have different costs, and your employees will have their own preferences. But it’s a great idea to think up some creative health and sustainability perks to support your employees.
3. Create A Better Policy for Sick Days and Remote Work
Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, we now know that it IS possible for many companies to go fully remote. If your office can run virtually, then there’s no excuse for denying your employees the flexibility they need to maintain their work-life balance and mental health.
Creating better policies for sick days and remote work costs you almost nothing, but you’ll gain a lot of goodwill. People who are sick shouldn’t be in the office, especially with the threat of COVID. Let them take the day off or work from home. After all, no one does their best work when they’re sick!
Consider being more flexible about remote work. Does everyone need to be in the office all the time? Are some people just more productive from home? Really think about what’s best for the people and the company before you decide on your new policies.
3 Easy Ways to Make Your Office Green
We all need to work together to create a more sustainable world. We only get one planet and we need to act quickly to preserve a good quality of life for people all over the world. Every business has an obligation to do its part and save energy.
The good news? Green initiatives can also help create a healthy workplace and happier workers. Here are 3 easy ways to go green.
1. Sustainable Office Supplies
With more and more work going digital, it’s never been easier to cut down on the office supplies you use. What you do decide to buy for the office should be more sustainable, to cut down on your business’s carbon footprint.
Sure, it may be more expensive to buy sustainable products. But since you’re probably not buying as many office supplies these days, the costs shouldn’t be overwhelming for your business. It all evens out!
2. Downsize Your Office Space for Hybrid Work
With more people preferring flexible work arrangements, do you really need all that office space anymore? Downsizing and reducing the size of your office will cut down on your rent costs and reduce the energy you’re using. Depending on the work structure you choose, you might have people share desks or just set up conference rooms for meetings.
3. Use Renewable Energy + Recycling and Composting
It’s pretty clear that companies need to make some big sustainability moves, and quickly. You can do your part by switching over to renewable energy, like solar. It’s also important to make recycling and composting a priority in your office. Purchase compostable food-service items or stock your kitchen with real dishes that can be washed!
Be Mindful of Your Greatest Assets
It’s important to remember that as an employer, your employees are your greatest assets. Treat them well and help them maintain and improve their health. They will respond by increasing your success and allowing your business to thrive!
Photo Credit
Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay
Guest Author Bio
Sarah Daren
With a Bachelor’s in Health Science along with an MBA, Sarah Daren has a wealth of knowledge within both the health and business sectors. Her expertise in scaling and identifying ways tech can improve the lives of others has led Sarah to be a consultant for a number of startup businesses, most prominently in the wellness industry, wearable technology and health education. She implements her health knowledge into every aspect of her life with a focus on making America a healthier and safer place for future generations to come.
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