Many corporations admit that they are more reactive than proactive when it comes to employee health and wellbeing.1 However, with numerous methods and tools such as assessments and surveys that guide and help employers create strategy or assess current efforts, it's never been easier for companies to get a clear snapshot as a starting point for implementing a health and wellbeing strategy plan.
Pinpoint pain points before it's too late
When it comes to wellbeing strategy it's important to take an approach that is preventative in nature. Rather than waiting for problems to arise with employees' health and stress levels, current best practice is to perform a company-wide wellbeing assessment.
An organization's health and wellbeing program, and the support it has in place for employees, should be based on the health needs of its workforce to have maximum impact.2
It's key to go to essential lifeblood of the business, the "beings" in wellbeing, those that bring businesses to life every day. An assessment gives a clear picture of what employees think of their day-to-day atmosphere and how they feel about their health (physical and mental), work-life balance and job satisfaction.
By starting with a company-wide assessment that examines the strengths, risks and opportunities of current culture, companies can quickly find out how healthy their business is, how healthy their employees are and what they think is important to lead a healthy and fulfilling life, both inside and outside of work. Armed with reliable data about the specific health needs of their most important asset, companies can easily move forward and put effective preventative solutions in place.
Find out what makes your employees tick and react on the results
Employees are all unique individuals and every company has its own mission and goals. As there's no one way to "do" wellbeing in the workplace, an assessment helps avoid the frustration of spending time and money on implementing solutions that don't benefit the company or employees.
After analyzing and evaluating responses, assessment results can then be the start of or integrated into wellbeing strategy. Results will allow a company to target specific areas where action is needed first and foremost, but areas where employees currently feel satisfied should not be ignored and should also be further built upon.
Creating a wellbeing strategy that is customized and aligned with a company's corporate culture is crucial. As each person is unique, each company is unique. By respecting company values and weaving wellbeing solutions into them, the goal of creating a healthier workplace isn't so daunting.
Once a corporate health and wellbeing strategy is implemented within the organization, measuring the success of any programs or solutions is recommended. Make sure that follow-up assessments are carried out to see that what's been put into action is working and that shifts are taking place.
- 1,2 CIPD: Health and Well-being in the Workplace, Survey report. March 2020.