It’s no surprise that 2020 and 2021 have ushered in a new era in the workplace – one with work from home options, Zoom meetings, flexible work hours.
A lot of that started by necessity, with corporate workers who are used to working from 8am – 7pm (or later) being forced to leave the office during stay-at-home orders. But even as restrictions have eased across the country, many of these options are staying in place in part because of a new trend ushered in during the aftermath of the pandemic: a new willingness to speak out against toxic work situations.
When the “status quo” changed so much for workers, people became more aware of how many habits, work-life imbalances and expectations that they used to think of as normal were actually doing a lot of damage to their emotional and physical health. People saw that they didn’t want to be on call 24/7, that they valued a flexible schedule that allowed them to have time with their families and that their mental health had a big impact on how well they can do their jobs. It caused a new nationwide discussion on what our previous work expectations were, how they may be harming us and what we can do about it.
First came the obvious: Acknowledging the problem. Workers have been far more transparent in admitting that they are often overwhelmed at work and that it’s taking a toll on them. Nearly half of US workers reported suffering from mental health issues since the pandemic started, according to a study done by Oregon-based insurance company, The Standard. And, as other studies have also found, a lot of those mental health issues come directly from work. 40% of employees feel overwhelmed by work often. 35% find themselves being easily distracted from work. 31% feel like they’re just going through the motions.
That’s not good for anyone – not employees, and not businesses.
So now that it’s out in the open, businesses are seeing more and more that it’s time to do something about it. Especially now, organizations want to be on the forefront of their industries – a position that only comes from being creative, innovative and forward-thinking. It comes from establishing your brand not just as an expert and a leader in your field, but as a disruptor as well.
But that can’t happen when the people behind the scenes aren’t able to show up to work as their best selves.
“Corporate wellness” isn’t just a buzzword that’s been passed around corporate offices to give an added bonus as they continue working employees past their breaking point – it’s an industry that’s rapidly growing, in part, because employers are seeing that if they want to invest in their business’ success, they need to invest in their people.
And it’s working.
Companies that have invested in corporate wellness programs – think Google, Microsoft and Lululemon – have seen a significant increases in productivity, creativity and interpersonal connections, not to mention a decrease in healthcare costs by providing employees with options to exercise and practice mindfulness techniques like meditation on company time.
When companies invest in their employees, they’re sending the message that they care about them as people, not just workers. That’s great. But the best part: It’s not mutually exclusive.
If there's one thing we've seen, it's that investing in your employees as human beings -- not just workers -- doesn't cut into your bottom line. For every dollar spent on wellness programs, companies are earning $2.71 back. That's a 171% increase.
A Johnson & Johnson Human Performance Institute study researched the effects of even a small amount of physical activity during the workday on employee productivity. They found that, when asked to move around for 2-5 minutes every half an hour, within 3 months employees reported improved engagement, better focus and more motivation, regardless of whether they were working in the office or not.
That’s not all. A study from the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans found that of companies that instituted wellness programs, 67% saw an increase in productivity. They even reported feeling a stronger connection to their leadership team and company as a whole, which boosted motivation to do good work not just for themselves, but for the good of the company.
On a personal note, these programs have also gone a long way in helping employees cope with the added stress brought on by the pandemic. 53% of people say that meditation has helped cope with that work-related stress, and 43% feel that this regular practice makes them more creative. By forcing the brain to slow down and focus in a way that’s not often done in a fast-paced work environment, meditation helps employees almost rewire their brains to think and perceive what’s around them differently. This makes them more likely to find unique and innovative solutions to even the most common problems.
As the research gathers, more businesses are taking notice. It’s estimated that by 2022, 30% of wellness programs with include mental health services. While the research heavily suggests that these added benefits will reduce costs and increase revenue throughout the company, there’s one more shift emerging: Despite what’s in it for them, more companies will start to bring on their programs for their employees simply because they want to help. Simply because they care.
Whatever the reason, everybody wins.