What exactly is employee well-being? Today, it goes beyond pay raises and gym memberships. HR teams are developing personalized well-being benefits that promote mental and physical health and help strengthen work and family relationships. Read on to learn about effective strategies for increased employee well-being.
It’s no surprise that the “work from anywhere” (WFA) idea gained traction during theCOVID-19 pandemic. Businesses and employees were forced to adopt the hybrid workplace, and many have decided to make it permanent. In 2021, a survey by Accenture of 9,000 workers found that 83 percent of respondents wanted a hybrid workplace that lets them work remotely at times and on-site at other times.
A shift to WFA is beneficial to employers and employees. When employees can choose where they work, they enjoy better mental health, less burnout and stronger workplace relationships. The Accenture survey found that 63 percent of high-growth businesses have adopted the WFA model, while 69 percent of negative or no-growth companies rely on the all-onsite or all-remote model.
Businesses are recognizing that there is no “one size fits all” model for employee well-being. Although the majority of workers surveyed by Accenture preferred a hybrid workplace, 25 percent expected to permanently work onsite. Another 40 percent said that they could be productive onsite or remotely, while a small segment felt that they could not be happy working anywhere.
It’s time for companies to take the focus off where employees should be working and consider how to help workers reach their full potential. For some, the answer is the hybrid workplace. For others, it may be the ability to temporarily scale back their hours with the option to return to full-time. Talcura can help HR professionals communicate with each other and with employees regarding workplace flexibility.
When hiring and promoting employees, businesses are shifting their focus from university degrees to specific job skills. Employers are discovering that a demonstrable skill set is a better indicator of job performance than a degree.
An emphasis on job skills also gives current employees opportunities to advance by learning and demonstrating particular skill sets. For example, companies can offer paid education, proficiency certifications and job training in high-demand skills. Thanks to technology and the cloud, employees can learn when and where it is convenient. Job mobility brings reward and recognition, which add to employee well-being.
Working parents and caregivers have faced unprecedented challenges during the COVID-19pandemic. Many are feeling burned out from working at home while caring for their children or loved ones. A 2021 McKinsey survey found that for 45 percent of respondents who had resigned from their jobs, family care was a major consideration in their decision to leave. Whether it’s family leave or subsidized childcare, family-centered benefits can help boost employee well-being.
Business and HR leaders have an opportunity to reshape the workplace. Options range from hybrid workplace to family-centered benefits. A combination of listening and communicating will help pave the way toward employee well-being.
