How to define well-being at work?

Well-being at work is one of the most important topics for managers and HR managers. In the current anxiety-provoking climate, how can you ensure the motivation and enthusiasm of your employees? What definition can we give to well-being at work? How to feed the well-being of its employees? And how to measure it? Let us answer these questions now!

How to define well-being at work in 2021?

Before, well-being at work was mainly related to health insurance and employee wages. Today, well-being at work is multiple. In addition to a good salary and decent health coverage, employees expect clear directions on what to do. They expect to receive encouragement, feedbacks and congratulations. Finally, they want to be able to create strong links between colleagues, change jobs regularly and adhere to company policy. 

In short, employee expectations have changed significantly. And the cards are in the hands of employers. 

It is therefore not easy to find an exact definition that brings all these elements together. The WHO has tried its luck with the following definition: "a dynamic state of mind, characterized by a satisfactory harmony between the abilities, needs and aspirations of the worker, on the one hand, and the constraints and possibilities of the environment. work, on the other hand."

At Slean, we prefer this definition of well-being at work: "set of factors that lead to a feeling of comfort and safety on a daily basis."

Even if it remains evasive, it shows that the factors of well-being at work are multiple. Moreover, we are going to analyze them, these factors. 

How to optimize the well-being of its employees? Here are 6 factors to get there!

With COVID-19, many employers have noticed the impact of well-being at work on the performance of their employees. And on the turnover of the company. That's why workplace wellness has never been so popular. To enjoy its benefits, here are 6 factors to optimize the well-being of its employees.  

1. Show your appreciation to your employees

A global study conducted on more than 200,000 employees reports that the most important element for them at work is to feel appreciated. Salary only comes in 8th position. Being aware of the efforts of its employees and showing them your appreciation is therefore essential to optimize their well-being. This is how they will feel more fulfilled and satisfied with their work. In addition, employee recognition has a positive effect on productivity and trust in your employer brand.. 

To show your appreciation to your employees, here are some examples of good attentions: 

• Bring croissants in the morning to celebrate an employee's success;
• Underline his achievement in a meeting;
• Organize a team building or a company evening in his honor; 
• Simply tell him;
• Send him a card at home to thank him;
• Or entrust him with more responsibilities. 

2. Communicate effectively

In many companies, the well-being of employees has been put at risk during the health crisis. But effective communication can improve your image and strengthen your bond with your employees. 

To do this, choose the right moment to deliver the right message. Start your meetings with a message of hope or a positive quote. Be clear and go straight to the point. In addition, schedule interviews by one-to-one with your employees. This will allow you to better understand their expectations and objectives in the short, medium and long term. It is through simple gestures that your employees will be able to increase their well-being at work! 

3. Foster collaboration within your team

Promoting collaboration within your team will allow your employees to fulfill their need to belong. And their need for social relations, quite simply. 

With this in mind, favor short meetings with a specific objective. Create a virtual water fountain so that your employees can come and recharge their batteries and… chat.  In addition, think about creating opportunities for your collaborators to meet and exchange outside of work. 

4. Simply listen to your employees...

Your employees want to be listened to! 

When your employees' grievances fall on deaf ears, they may consider jumping ship. This would directly impact your turnover, the morale of your colleagues and general motivation. Pay attention to everyone's expectations, whether in terms of material, financial or human resources.

Listening to your employees and giving them interest will increase their commitment and determination in the long run. This is why it is important to send satisfaction questionnaires regularly. But we will come back to this in the last part of this article. 

5. Giving feedbacks regular and relevant

By receiving regular feedback, 68% of employees are more satisfied with their job. Effectively, the feedbacks motivate and encourage your colleagues to be optimistic at work. Especially when you customize your returns. Thus, it is better to address a person rather than a team.

In this way, your employees continue to train at no additional cost. This step back from the work of your colleagues will increase their skills. Organize these interviews remotely in order to combine teleworking and management brilliantly ! Live or remotely, your advice will make your employees real experts.

6. Showing empathy

Empathy, like well-being at work, is not an exact science. Nevertheless, behind the statuses of managers, executives, employees or trainees hide humans. Real ones. And don't forget that! 

It is by keeping this in mind that your team will be more involved and more enthusiastic. She will want to achieve the objectives set and to move forward with you as far as possible. Be clear and sincere in your discussions. This emotional bond between you and your employees will humanize your management and make many other talents want to join you.

What is the future of well-being at work? 

Well-being at work is more present than ever, because companies have finally understood its power. This transforms the daily lives of employees, reduces absenteeism and contributes to the creation of a healthy corporate culture. 

Betting on the commitment of its employees is now a matter of survival for companies. Well-being at work, as complex as it is, must be seen as a ROI ambition. And even if not all companies have enough to pay for a Chief Happiness Officer, a budget must be allocated to well-being at work. 

In the future, we will see more diverse employee wellness benefits. The costs of employee malaise, procrastination and lack of self-esteem are too high to ignore. 

How to assess the well-being of your employees?

In order to optimize the well-being of your employees, you must know how to measure it. Don't forget to monitor the progress of the feedback received and take corrective measures. 

Here is a list of questions you can ask your employees if you want to know their level of satisfaction. Feel free to use them in a survey or adapt them to suit your business needs:

• Do you feel that your work gives meaning to your life?
• Do you feel like you have all the resources you need to do your job well? 
• Do you feel confident with your colleagues and respected by them? 
• On a scale of 1 to 10, where would you rate your well-being at work? 
• Are you happy with your work-life balance? 
• How often would you like to receive feedbacks ? 
• Do you feel stress at work? Does this have an impact on your privacy?
• Would you be interested in participating in team building activities? 
• How likely are you to recommend your friends or family to work with us (on a scale of 1 to 10)? 
• Do you have any suggestions for optimizing your well-being at work?

To ask these questions to your employees, you can create an online form using Google Forms, TypeForm or AirTableForm.

Don't forget to pamper the physical well-being of your employees!

We have talked about self-esteem, interest and social relationships, but it is also necessary to think about the physical well-being of your employees. Do you want to know how to optimize the comfort of your employees in the office or remotely? Read our article on telework ergonomics or find out ergonomic furniture and Slean accessories.