The Critical Link Between Employee Wellbeing and Work-Life Balance

Work has changed over the years, particularly in the more recent past. Employees have different expectations of their employers, and stress factors are influencing people in all facets of life more than ever before. Explore the link between a good work-life balance and overall wellbeing, as well as how your company can invest in employee wellbeing.

What is Employee Wellbeing?

Employee wellbeing refers to the overall happiness and health of members of the workforce. This concept incorporates more than just physical health – emotional, mental, and economic health also factor into how an employee feels on a regular basis. Various factors influence employee wellbeing, including the resources and tools they have access to in order to manage their tasks, relationships with co-workers, and the decisions they make while at work.

Personal situations can fluctuate, and challenges at home often permeate the workplace at least on some level. But the average employee’s wellbeing should be at a level that ensures a healthy and productive workplace for everyone. When that’s not the case, all members of the team may struggle with their wellbeing.

The importance of employee wellbeing

Wellbeing at work plays a significant role in an individual’s overall satisfaction with their life. The responsibility is on the employer to provide the care and support needed for employees to feel valued. Providing a high level of support serves as a building block for a strong company culture and a team of employees who can be productive and excited about their work.

Understanding Work-Life Balance

Work-life balance is the concept of aligning a person’s professional and personal lives. When an employee achieves a good balance between the two, they are better equipped to remain productive and engaged during their shifts. By contrast, poor work-life balance may lead to an increase in presenteeism, which is when employees are physically present but mentally elsewhere while at work.

Good work-life balance also leads to lower stress levels and fewer instances of feeling overwhelmed, which can reduce the risk of burnout. When employees have the time to focus on personal things outside of work, they have the opportunity to recharge. A culture that prioritizes work-life balance tends to see fewer “quiet quitters” and maintain loyal, productive members of the team.

How Employee Wellbeing and Work-Life Balance Align

When employees don’t feel like they have a good grasp on all aspects of their lives, they tend to suffer emotionally. In some cases, the stress may manifest physically, leading to employees taking more time off (or higher absenteeism rates).

With a supportive atmosphere in the workplace, the opposite is often true. Employees show up, engage with their tasks, and remain productive. Unfortunately, the results of a recent survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services showed that this isn’t exactly the case in most workplaces. Over 80 percent of employees stated that workplace conditions have played a role in at least one mental health challenge.

3 Ways to Support Employee Wellbeing in the Workplace

In order to provide the support employees need to maintain their wellbeing, employers can take a few steps.

Offer mental health resources

In modern society, mental health needs cannot be ignored. Depression and anxiety rates are at all-time highs, particularly in younger members of the workforce. Employers must commit to offering resources that support mental health needs and help their team members get the help they need, when they need it.

An employee wellness or assistance program is a good starting point. It should include options for seeking counseling when needed, as well as resources that can help individuals work on their own mental states. Other factors to incorporate in such a program may include additional paid time off for sickness, incentives for preventive healthcare, and regular recognition.

Adjust the perspective on performance reviews

Employees may feel stress around performance review time, particularly if they don’t have regular check-ins with their supervisors otherwise. A lack of regular feedback can put extra pressure on an annual review, causing individuals to feel intimated by the looming session.

Look for ways to provide feedback, both positive and constructive, at regular intervals. Offer support when an employee needs it, and try to turn performance concerns into opportunities for employees to grow.

Try to foster social connections in the workplace

When employees have connections at work, they tend to feel more supported. Studies indicate that positive workplace relationships are linked to lower levels of psychological stress.

Look for ways to foster social connections, starting with regular expressions of appreciation. Everyone wants to feel appreciated and valued for what they bring to the team. Taking this step as a leader can also result in a trickle-down effect, where supervisors recognize their team members and individual employees praise one another for their work.

By contrast, the likelihood of employee burnout goes up by nearly 50 percent when company leaders reduce how much they recognize their employees. Simply taking steps to show appreciation regularly and for a range of reasons can make a big difference in employee wellbeing.

When you invest in the needs of your employees, your company can experience significant rewards. Productivity and engagement rates tend to be higher among those who feel supported and happy at work. It’s always a worthwhile endeavor to give your team members what they need.