As the post-COVID future of work is being reconsidered, employee health and wellbeing should be prioritized as one of the key workplace policies.

Many employers have already reopened their workplaces or are just weeks away from reopening. And before this happens, organizations are reworking the workplace strategies, including the Employee Engagement strategies, to avoid future workplace wellbeing concerns.

One of the key pointers to be considered is the Employee Wellness program. 

The pandemic has put our lives and work at risk. The stress of the pandemic-induced changes and its related complications has impacted health and wellbeing which apparently affected employee engagement, productivity, and retention.

According to a recent CSO survey, almost 60% of the respondents said the pandemic had affected their mental health. The social isolation and the feeling of being disjointed from the workplace and teammates have added to the stress. The burnout issues escalated during this period, badly affecting employee mental health.

So, before the entire workforce comes together at the workplace, employers have a lot to do to ensure better workplace wellbeing, safety, and employee engagement, while following the COVID-19 regulations.

Experts from the corporate wellness market have made it clear that employee wellness must be at the pinnacle of the workplace agenda to ensure a work-life balance. When employers display empathy and support employee wellbeing, it builds trust, enhances morale, and encourages employee engagement. Although one-on-one personal interactions for better teamwork and collaboration are essential in the competitive world, there is no disputing that remote working is here to stay, with many organizations preparing for a remote-first tomorrow.

So, what measures must employers take to ascertain their employee wellbeing and safety at work?

Organizing Employee Wellbeing-focused Events

Experts suggest the new era of hybrid working is leading to a different sort of one-of-a-kind way to bring the workforce together. If employees are happy and comfortable working remotely, then employers must look into enticing ways to boost employee engagement.

Employee wellbeing specialists suggest spending time with nature has massive advantages for our holistic wellbeing. Spending time together with the entire workforce in natural settings, participating in wellness challenges, and other wellbeing activities can work wonders in boosting employee morale. So, the key lies in creating the right ambiance and workplace culture for employees to connect, engage, and for their holistic wellbeing.

Spending time together in a relaxed social environment is a great way to improve interactions, build stronger teams, strengthen trust, and is a great way to foster lost connections, and boost employee engagement.

Employee Benefits Packages

In addition to planning social gatherings that boost employee engagement and build stronger teams, it is vital to check employee holistic wellbeing. Be it overcoming social isolation to boost employee engagement, and communication, or supporting them to have a work-life balance upon returning to the workplace, employers must take adequate measures to ensure that employees adjust, and are safe and comfortable.

Employees getting back to the workplace does not mean the old workplace culture and policies will fit now. Employee expectations about their workplace benefits package, lifestyle habits, and wellbeing initiatives have changed since the pandemic. And to ensure the workforce is comfortable and safe, employers must address their requirements in line with the latest trends.

Many employee wellbeing experts suggest that in addition to reviewing health policies, employers must also reinforce other healthy lifestyle and holistic wellbeing initiatives. Well-designed employee wellness programs that include wellness challenges and other wellbeing solutions can be implemented to build healthy habits. Furthermore, offering rewards, incentives, and other gamification approaches can be effective employee engagement strategies.

Coming back to the workplace after a long period can make employees feel anxious and worried about safety, interacting with colleagues, and the new routine. Employers and employees may find many red flags while planning their back-to-workplace strategies. Understanding what your workforce is going through, identifying their health and wellbeing needs, and addressing them with the right employee wellness solutions to ensure better health, safety, and productivity.