In 2021, the global workplace spent approximately $7.8 trillion of healthcare from problems arising from work related stress. Work stress can cause health issues anxiety, burnout, depression, and substance use disorders. Workers who are stressed at work are more likely to engage in unhealthy behaviors, such as substance abuse, poor eating habits, and lack of sleep and exercise. Poor eating habits alone can cause a host of complications from ulcers to diabetes. Imagine the impact on employees when this gets compounded by other stress related problems. If we want to make a dent on that $7.8 trillion, we would have to make employee wellbeing a priority. How do we do that? We start with leaders.
A Deloitte study found that 57% of workers, globally, are considering leaving their work “for a more supportive job.” What’s surprising is that 70% of executives are thinking of doing the same, for the same reason. In order to affect company wide change, we have to start at the top. Here’s what leaders can do in order to promote workplace wellbeing.
Make work fun again
I see a lot of entrepreneurs use their leisure time for doing work related stuff. While one entrepreneur uses his weekend to clean up his mailing list, you will find another entrepreneur choosing to use his dog walks to listen to podcasts that can spark content ideas. Both activities are work related, but can you spot the difference? We all have the autonomy to choose what we do with our time. Let’s choose to build opportunities to create more fun in our lives.
Talk the talk, walk the walk
During onboarding, employers like to go on about how their company is different from others in how they place premium value work-life balance only for employees to find out that these companies have no workplace wellbeing programs aside from vacation leaves. Leaders should have wellbeing programs in place that are more than just giving time off or spa coupons to employees who are overworked and overwhelmed. This could be in the form of parenting support groups, childcare options, clubs for people with similar hobbies, sports clubs, psychological safety and mental wellness seminars, or all of the above.
Use your vacation time
Leaders like to advocate for workplace wellbeing but fail to set an example when using tier vacation time. They wear overwork and undersleep like a badge of honor as if more time in the office and less sleep means success. Do you have a boss who answers work emails on vacation or spends all her time on meetings while vacationing in sunny Cancun? If you are the boss who does this, stop and set a better example for your team. Take a break when you say you will and don’t hold it against anyone who does the same. Rest is there to help us recuperate and calibrate and get our body and mind ready to face the next round of challenges – not to use as a background for business calls.
Prioritize your health and your employees will follow suit. Set an example of workplace wellness by being the epitome of workplace wellness. Remember to work smart and be a blessing to someone today. Stay safe and healthy!
Written by Jaie O. TheHelp