By Tsitsi Machengere
We live in a fast-paced, high-stress world, and it is no wonder the impact of employee well-being on productivity is a topic that has gained increasing attention in recent years. Every organization that is serious about productivity consider prioritizing employee wellbeing as more than just a trend for it is a proven way to increase productivity and employee retention.
Approaches to employee wellbeing must take a holistic approach to ensure that they cover on the physical, mental, emotional, and social wellbeing for employees to thrive and bring their best selves to work, for the company’s benefit. There is empirical evidence that factors such as job satisfaction, work-life balance, and stress levels can have a significant impact on an employee’s productivity and performance. This is important for businesses to understand, as it can have a direct impact on productivity.
Studies have shown that when employees have good mental health, they are more likely to be engaged, motivated, and productive at work. A study by McKinsey found that employees who are engaged in their work take fewer sick days and have lower turnover rates. This is because when employees are mentally healthy, they have the emotional resources to deal with stress and are better able to focus on their tasks. However, employees with poor mental health experience, trouble staying on task or paying attention to detail and also have difficulties in decision making, problem
To ensure their wellbeing, employees should prioritize making time for rest and relaxation, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and cultivating a positive outlook on life. It is also important that one finds a job that is a good fit for their skills and interests, as this can lead to greater job satisfaction and increased productivity. A study conducted by the Harvard Business Review in 2020 found that employees who reported being happy in their roles were up to 20% more productive than their counterparts who reported to be unhappy thus
Physical wellbeing is a vital determinant of productivity in the workplace. Taking breaks during the workday can improve focus and creativity and this has been proven Stanford University’s 2017 in a study on employee wellbeing, which found out that taking regular breaks can increase productivity by as much as 13% in comparison to marathon shifts without breaks in-between.
As much as rest is important to physical wellness, it is also important to one’s mental wellness. Getting enough sleep is essential for productivity as it allows the brain to repair itself and restore cognitive function. Additionally, making time for hobbies and leisure activities outside of work can also improve well-being and job satisfaction, which in turn leads to high employee productivity.
It is important for employers to inculcate a culture of openness and acceptance around mental health issues in order to create a workplace culture that prioritizes employee wellbeing. This ensures that employees feel comfortable discussing mental health, and get assurance that be support is given they disclose any mental health challenges. In support of such initiatives, employers can provide access to mental health resources, such as employee assistance programme or counseling services as well as create policies and procedures that support employees struggling with mental health issues.
After all is said, it is critical for both the employer and employee to collaborate and ensure that employee wellbeing is prioritized for the good of the organization and the individual as well. In so doing, a holistic approach focusing on both the individual and the work environment must be taken and this approach can lead to increased productivity, as well as happier and healthier employees.
About the author: Mrs Tsitsi Machengere is a Master of Science in Counselling Psychology Student, Great Zimbabwe University, with over a decade in the Human Resources Management field. She may be contacted at tm*********@gz*.zw
