How to look after your staff

UK businesses are losing on average 27.5 days of productive time per employee each year because of sickness, so businesses have a clear interest in keeping their staff fit and healthy. And with 31% of companies planning to implement a health and wellbeing strategy, wellness is moving into the mainstream.

From rock-climbing walls and sleep pods to mini-golf courses, these are some of the benefits companies such as Google or Facebook offer their employees to keep them happy.

But what happens if your business is not as large as these tech giants? First, you still need to keep your employees happy – after all, it will boost their productivity and make your business grow.

Investing in staff

A study from American Express and the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) found that 23% of SMEs felt investing in staff was a key ingredient to grow a business, ahead of choosing suppliers (20%) and investing in technology (19%).

Jose Carvalho, executive vice president for Global Commercial Services – International at American Express, says: "There are many hurdles on the path to business growth and securing top talent is an essential priority for ambitious SMEs.

"Whether expanding at home or globally, business owners are looking for partners that can help them attract and retain staff."

Setting aside the usual?employee benefits of a gym membership, flexible working and shared parental leave, there are other incentives you can offer your existing or potential employees if you run a small business.

Not all about the money

Employee benefits shouldn't all be about money.

At work, we ensure everyone on the team is kept involved as we grow and change.

Feeling valued and trusted with our plans is essential. We also ensure everyone has clear job progression, holding reviews and regular feedback sessions.

I'm planning a new chillout garden, with lavender and herbs in a south-facing raised bed, wind chimes, clematis and tables and chairs so staff can relax and unwind in the park on their breaks."

• A poor work environment can have a detrimental impact on employee motivation, performance and wellbeing.
• Providing a variety of workspaces can encourage new ways of working and enable staff to work in an environment that best suits them and the task at hand.
• Organisations should consider areas that can contribute to the broader employee experience, such as spaces that allow staff to relax, recharge, exercise or socialise with colleagues.

Try to encourage your organisation not to have too many closed meeting rooms and not have too many seated meeting rooms.

Such things as stand-up meeting tables or stand-up benches that [employees] can huddle around for a quick conversation, whether it's a project catch up or a brainstorm [can be great].

That means people move a lot quicker, and they're more likely to be creative.

The working environment can also motivate staff to change how they work, thereby supporting an organisation's broader goals.

Four essential features for a smart working office:

• Multipurpose workspaces
• Community spaces
• Building the right culture
• A balanced workplace

Food for thought

After ensuring your employees are in the right office environment, another step worth considering is whether they are eating a healthy, balanced diet.

Livewire Kitchen, a small business based in London, provides nutritious food designed to reinvigorate office workers. Co-founder Zoe Watkins also ensures her employees are fed healthy meals for free.

Some businesses are also beginning to offer their employees food options that include low fat, low sugar or low salt meals to have healthier, more productive and happier staff.

So as an employer, what can you offer your employees aside from a generous workplace pension, flexible working hours and an ergonomically friendly desk?

Five takeaways:

1. Get the basics right with air conditioning, outdoor spaces and natural light.
2. Help staff keep active and healthy with showers and changing facilities.
3. Create a social workplace to help team bonding.
4. Support a healthy work-life balance.
5. Some employees will offer salary sacrifice and long hours in the office for an office refurbishment with enhanced facilities.