How to Improve Workplace Wellbeing; What Makes It Worse?

4 minutes read

How to Improve Workplace Wellbeing-What Makes It Worse?
By Zerah Pataliah Atieno

A workplace is where people work; this can be an office, a factory, or any place where people go to render work. It is a designated location designed by an employer as the normal place of work where employees perform their duties and roles. 

Your work is depended on your schedule, which can be daily or specified days of the week. 

Workplace wellbeing refers to all aspects of work/working life, from the safety of the physical environment to the working environment and many more factors, such as a good state of mental health. 

Fostering wellbeing is good for every institution. This helps prevent stress and creates a positive working environment where everyone can thrive. The wellbeing of everyone in the institution is a core factor in organizational performance. 

When the workplace environment is better, the wellbeing of the employees at work will be far much better than when it’s terrible or toxic. It takes the employer’s and employees’ initiative to improve a workplace. 

A workplace becomes better when some qualities are showcased and practiced, and this may include;

Mutual respect in the workplace

Respect toward employees has to be a core value in any organization. The employees, in return, have to be respectful whatever the case. One tends to reciprocate what is offered to them, so if there is respect and dignity, then respect and dignity will be the institution’s order. Managers should listen to their subordinates, implement their suggestions if they are useful, and make them feel valued.

Equity in the workplace

A workplace becomes better when there is equity. This is fair treatment and advancement for each person in an organization. Each employee receives equal opportunities and fair treatment, depending on their needs. 

A lot of people do not get the difference between equity and equality. Equity is recognizing that each person has different needs. So exact resources and opportunities are allocated to them to reach an equal outcome and satisfy their needs. On the other hand, equality is giving each individual or group of people the same resources and opportunities even though some may not be in much need of the resources and opportunities as others.

Accountability in the workplace

There has to be accountability in the workplace where employees take responsibility for their performances and outcomes of their work choices. When you make it a habit of having each employee accountable for what they do, their performance improves, and they become considerate of their choices. Similarly, employers should also be accountable.

Open communication in the workplace

Having open communication is another factor that makes a workplace better. When communication is encouraged, the sharing of ideas is promoted, ultimately leading to success. It also allows proper conflict resolution without confrontation. 

This improves the employee’s wellbeing enhancing a healthy work environment. Open communication can be maintained when the communication is made transparent. Have an open-ended meeting that allows each team member to share their concerns.

Safety in the workplace

A workplace has to be safe. Employees do not need to come to work and, instead of performing, are worried about their security. This affects their productivity and their engagement in the activities of the company.

Positive workplace culture

Having a positive work culture that prioritizes the wellbeing of the employees, offers support at all levels within the organization’s limit, and has policies prioritizing empathy, respect, and support also makes a workplace better. Make it a culture to have a good relationship with each other.

A workplace may turn out to be worse when there is disrespect, unhealthy communication, lack of trust between employees themselves and employers among employees, poor conflict resolution methods when there is no transparency, unmotivated workers, and poor teamwork, among others. 

Bearing in mind that it takes an individual’s initiative to have a better workplace, we should all make a significant effort to improve our workplaces. 

A good workplace means that everyone in the work environment is comfortable in all aspects and feels respected. This, in turn, leads to better wellbeing of everyone, be it mentally or physically, and so does their productivity improve, and eventually, the organization becomes a success.   

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