Three Ways to Build a Healthy Workforce

The labor market is tight, and many workers are moving to new jobs. While the demand for talent is causing salary increases, this is not the only reason workers are seeking new opportunities. We are not the same workforce we were going into the pandemic. Workers are suffering from exhaustion and burnout from the social, emotional, and mental strains resulting from the pandemic. According to NAMI, (National Alliance for Mental Illness), 1 in 5 U.S. adults experiences mental illness each year. Now, more than ever, companies need to look for ways to attract & retain a healthy workforce.

Consider remote work options

The comforts of working from home have caused us to reevaluate our priorities. It no longer makes sense to spend otherwise productive time sitting in traffic. The number one thing we hear from candidates today is that they want a flexible work environment and better work-life balance. While they may not want to work full-time from home, a hybrid remote work option is often desired. Remote work options offer the added benefit of opening your talent pool to a broader geography.

Offer wellness programs & benefits

Employees are looking for benefits beyond standard healthcare that focus on the overall quality of life. Companies find that their employees are happier and more productive when they weave self-care, relaxation, and mental breaks into their daily work routines. Other ways to improve employee well-being include sponsoring creative activities and providing education and benefits related to fitness, health, and nutrition. It is important to recognize that the isolation of the pandemic may have caused some employees to develop or have increased social anxiety. All employees may not want to engage in group activities. Allowing them to participate in programs with others or individually is beneficial.

Time away from work

Time off from work is critical to give employees time to rest and rejuvenate. This is another major consideration for candidates when they evaluate a new opportunity, and attractive time off policies promote retention. Companies should reevaluate their policies whether they offer traditional, flexible, or unlimited PTO. While unlimited PTO may sound the most attractive to employees, it can also have negative implications. Employees may take too much time away from work causing resentment from others or hesitate to take time off because they do not want to take advantage. Setting clear policies and expectations and encouraging employees to take time away from work will help them obtain work-life balance and increase job performance.

A mental-health-focused work culture can help companies both attract and retain a healthy workforce. A healthy workforce is a productive workforce. The benefits of PTO and wellness programs outweigh the costs of turnover and result in a more prolific work environment.