Wellbeing at Work

Growing an organization requires productive employees. However, when you’re too focused on output, it’s easy to forget that your team is made up of human beings. A relentless emphasis on the bottom line often leads to a temporary boost in revenue…but at a high cost. When you lead with employee well-being, you’ll end up with teams that work hard, stick it out, and allow your company to successfully grow over the long term.?

Part of my job is convincing leaders that a happy and fulfilled workforce leads to increased productivity and profitability. If it weren’t true, I wouldn’t be teaching it. When you invest in employee health, you’ll see multiple benefits – including, ultimately, a boost to growth and revenue. It’s a fairly simple equation: when employees are functioning well, the organization functions well.?

In his book, Wellbeing at Work,? Jim Clifton emphasizes the importance of employee well-being. According to Clifton, "When people feel valued, respected, and fulfilled at work, they are more engaged, productive, and likely to stay with their employer." Let’s break down the process and see why employee well-being is worth the investment.

Well-Being Leads to Loyalty

It’s no secret that employers are facing record turnover and a critical lack of qualified candidates. There are multiple factors at play, but it’s fairly obvious that people are not staying in jobs where they feel demotivated or disrespected. Turnover comes at a high cost for any organization, and the output needed to hire, train, and integrate new employees is significant.?

On the flip side, when employees feel supported and valued, they are more likely to remain engaged and motivated, even during tough times. One of the key benefits of a well-being program is the creation of a resilient and thriving team. This is why companies that prioritize employee well-being often experience lower turnover rates and increased job satisfaction. It’s a significant benefit.

Well-Being Helps the Bottom Line

In addition to building a resilient team, investing in employee well-being can also have a positive impact on the bottom line. According to Clifton, "Investing in the well-being of employees has been shown to increase productivity, reduce absenteeism and improve overall job satisfaction." By providing support and resources that help employees manage stress, maintain good physical and mental health, and feel fulfilled, organizations can increase their ROI by reducing costs related to burnout and turnover.

Yes, it is true that employees can produce at a high level without sufficient support…but this ability is limited. Rather than (literally) burning out your best employees, put the work in to make sure their efforts are sustainable for the long haul. This will eliminate the productivity booms and busts that can characterize toxic work environments.

Well-Being Brings It All Together

None of us are capable of compartmentalizing life and work. That’s what sets us apart from the (increasingly smarter) machines. At no point will artificial intelligence be able to mimic the ingenuity, creativity, and good will that well-adjusted employees bring to an organization. When your people are cared for, your business will reflect the positivity.?

As Clifton points out, "happiness, fulfillment, purpose and productivity are all interconnected." When employees feel fulfilled and valued, they are more likely to be happy and motivated, which in turn leads to increased productivity. By providing a supportive and well-being focused work environment, organizations can help employees find meaning and purpose in their work, which ultimately benefits everyone.

Reach Out For Support

One of my guiding principles comes from this work by Jim Clifton. I believe him when he says, "When employees are well, businesses thrive." If you need help figuring out where to start creating a culture that allows your team to thrive, or if you need support creating a program for employee well-being, reach out. I’m here to help.