Why Employee Wellbeing Should Be Your Top Priority in 2025

What is Employee Well-being and Why is it Important?

Looking after your employees should be on the top of your list as a business manager. But what is employee wellbeing and why is it an important factor to you and your business.

Employee wellbeing covers both the physical and mental health of your employees. It is vital that as a business you monitor these factors to ensure that all employees feel comfortable to work in the environment that you have created. Putting in place specific systems can make a huge difference in performance as a happy employee is a productive employee.

What Methods can I put in place to help my employees?

There are a variety of different methods that you can implement to assist your employees on specific issues that they may be facing. One method you should consider is creating an open door policy. This policy can encourage employees to approach you or anyone in a senior position about a particular concern that they have. 

Listening to these issues can often break down specific barriers between you and your employees which can result in an environment where open communication is encouraged in the workplace. Talking to employees one on one can be daunting for them at first but offering them the chance to express concerns can be hugely beneficial to their mental health which can help overall performance at work.

Another method that you should consider is training. Training up leaders on spotting signs on issues like burnout, disengagement and stress can be a great addition to their skillset. And can prevent issues from evolving further if they are spotted early.

It is important to remember that as a management team, you are the first line of support for employees when they are dealing with issues in the workplace.  So being trained to support and de-escalate concerns is vital.

 Promote peer support programs. This is a great way for fellow employees to engage with each other in a working environment. It can build a sense of community amongst them and also reduce any feelings of isolation.  A great example of implementing a peer support program is when you have new hires. ‘Buddy’ them up with experienced employees and have them act as mentors for the first week. This can help them fit in within the working environment.

Here are five Practical tips you can use today

1. Conduct regular surveys to assess employee well-being and gather feedback on wellness programs. Use the insights to improve initiatives and better support employees' needs. 

2. Encourage flexible work hours and remote work options to help employees balance their personal and work lives. Lead by example by respecting work boundaries and promoting time off. 

3. Make mental health resources available, such as counselling services and stress management workshops. Provide training for employees to learn coping strategies and access support when needed. 

4. Create opportunities for social interactions through team-building activities and events. Help new employees integrate by pairing them with a buddy for support. 

5. Offer wellness programs that support physical and mental health, like fitness classes and nutrition workshops. Encourage participation by making these programs enjoyable and rewarding.