How Employee Wellness Solutions Pay Off in the Long Run

The average person spends over a third of their life at work - that’s 90,000+ hours in a lifetime! Since we spend so much time at work, it is understandable that it has such a large effect on our mental and physical wellbeing. 

In this article, I’m going to discuss how employee wellness solutions pay off in the long run – not only for the individual employee, but also for businesses too.

Research has suggested three key points of improvement linked to employee wellness:

1. Increased job satisfaction and employee morale

2. Increased productivity 

3. Long-term financial savings

But before we dive in…what actually is wellbeing?

Wellness is defined by the practice of healthy habits on a daily basis to attain better physical and mental health, so that we are thriving, not just simply surviving.

The McKinsey Health Institute created six drivers that employers can modify to support wellbeing in the workplace, which over time should increase job satisfaction, morale, and productivity, as well as result in long-term financial savings. 

What are McKinsey’s six drivers of employee health?

1. Social interaction

2. Mindsets and belief

3. Productive activity 

4. Stress

5. Economic security 

6. Sleep

1. Social interaction 

We humans are social creatures - we’re meant to interact with each other, and we thrive when we do. 

The benefits of regular social interaction have been widely documented, and it is no different in the workplace. Connecting with colleagues can really improve workplace environments, transforming a culture from a potentially toxic to a positive space for employees to thrive.  

2. Mindsets and belief

Positive experiences at work are closely tied with employees’ holistic health. Having a positive mindset and beliefs can lead to better overall health at work, benefiting both employees and employers! 

Think about it: if you really believe in what you’re doing, and feel good about what you’re working towards, you're likely to be happier and therefore healthier. 

3. Productive Activity

We’ve all had those days where nothing seems to get done, and it's frustrating, right? But did you know that there is actually a scientific explanation behind why productivity can boost our mental wellbeing. 

Being unproductive can produce feelings of worthlessness, frustration, and anxiety. On the flip side, productivity gives us a sense of purpose and achievement. Whether it's in our personal lives or at work, being productive helps us feel more fulfilled and positive about ourselves. 

4. Stress

Stress is no stranger to any of us, but do we actually know how to use it to our advantage? 

While stress can be a motivator for us to learn and grow, it needs to be managed carefully to avoid overwhelming us. When workplace demands get too intense, stress can turn from motivating to harmful, leading to physical and mental health problems. Finding a balance is essential to using stress as a positive driver in the workplace.  

5. Economic Security

There’s a reason why the phrase “money makes the world go round” is so well known. We’re constantly thinking about our finances: Has the rent been paid? How much was the grocery shop this week? Can we afford to go on holiday? Can I buy my children the things they need? What about a new toy for my son’s birthday?

There is a clear link between economic stability and mental and physical wellbeing. Worrying about finances can cause a large amount of stress – which, as we know from above, can in turn cause poor mental and physical health, affecting how we perform at work. 

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs supports this, explaining that we can’t feel a sense of belonging and achieve high self esteem without having economic security.

6. Sleep

The golden rule is well known: we need at least 8 hours of sleep each night for our bodies to rest and recover. But let's be honest, sometimes that couple of hours watching TV, scrolling through our phones, or reading just seems too good in the moment. 

But this is classic self-sabotage! Poor sleep correlates to poor health, so prioritising our sleep means prioritising our wellbeing. 

Leveraging Mckinsey’s Six Health Drivers in the workplace can result in:

1. Increased job satisfaction and employee morale 

2. Increase in productivity 

3. Long-term financial savings 

How can these Six Drivers be affected in the long run?

1. Increased job satisfaction and morale

Investing in employee wellbeing

Employees are likely to feel cared for and appreciated in the workplace when their employer is investing in their wellbeing. This can result in boosted morale, with employees feeling happier in their role, ultimately benefiting the business in the long-term. 

Social interaction

Positive workplace relationships are essential for employees to feel satisfied with their jobs. Social interaction within a team can foster a better working environment, bringing employees together, and thereby boosting morale throughout the business. 

Stress

If an employee is under stress and feeling overwhelmed with tasks they have been given, chances are they are going to feel negatively about their role. Many workers will start to resent their roles and their superiors, which is why it is essential to balance staying motivated and staying challenged. In a best case scenario, employees should feel as though they are progressing and moving past their comfort zones, without ever actually feeling overwhelmed. 

Retention rates

When employees feel satisfied in their job, retention rates tend to be higher in the business. This is great long-term, as it showcases to the public that the business’ employees are satisfied within the company. 

2. Increased productivity 

Decrease in absenteeism

Healthier employees will ultimately be more productive. 

Those with better mental and physical health are more likely to come to work consistently feeling well, which benefits productivity levels within the business. Addressing drivers including stress, limited sleep, and economic insecurity that cause poor wellbeing in employees can reduce absenteeism and raise productivity. This will have positive repercussions for businesses in the long run.   

Increased motivation 

Just like job satisfaction, employee motivation is boosted when people feel that their employer genuinely cares about their wellbeing. 

As an employee, you can imagine how you’d feel better motivated if you knew your employer cared about your mental and physical health!

When employees feel valued, they are more likely to care for their work and go the extra mile, translating into higher productivity. 

Social interaction 

Social interaction at work promotes conversation and collaboration. When colleagues talk and share ideas, productivity naturally increases. Promoting employees learning from one another can drive efficiency and allow for innovating ideas to spark. 

Plus, clear communication between managers and employees ensures that everyone is on the same page and can reach their full potential. 

3. Long-term financial savings

Globally, improving employee health and wellbeing could create between $3.7 trillion and $11.7 trillion in economic value. That’s a lot of money! 

Why not solve the problem at its root cause, instead of spending the money on the repercussions later down line?

Through investing in employee wellness, you can positively adapt McKinsey’s six factors of workplace health, and save money in the long run. 

Reduced retention costs 

When employees feel valued and appreciated, they are more likely to stick around. This means your business can save money on hiring and training new employees, lowering recruitment costs. 

Increased productivity 

Social interaction and a sense of belonging make employees feel good about their work, leading to higher productivity, ultimately saving the company money. 

Similarly, caring for employees' stress levels, economic instability concerns, and sleep deprivation can also absenteeism, resulting in employees being more present and productive at work. 

Promoting employee wellness can be tricky, especially when external factors impact work behaviour. However, it is important that wellness practices are developed and implemented within the workplace, so that employees are not mentally or physically harmed from the side effects of a stressful or problematic working environment. 

StoriBoard offers bespoke employee wellness training for all types of businesses, so you can easily ensure your employees’ wellbeing is adequately cared for.

For more information about StoriBoard's wellness solutions for employers, head to our For Business page here.

Miriam Greenberg is a Marketing and Management Studies student at the Queen Mary University of London and currently a Marketing Intern at StoriBoard.