Rethinking Employee Wellbeing in the Workplace

The business world has been talking a lot about investing in employee health and wellbeing, but is it all just empty rhetoric? Despite numerous campaigns and initiatives, workplaces have yet to truly prioritize employee wellbeing as a fundamental aspect of their culture and operations.

The issue isn't just about addressing stigma; it's about the practical changes in working practices, management styles, and workplace culture that need to happen. Employers often promote mental wellbeing policies but shy away from addressing their own role in creating stress and unhappiness in the workplace.

For a truly healthy workplace, honest and realistic conversations about how work impacts employees and their wellbeing are essential starter. Trust and psychological security play a crucial role in employee wellbeing, and employees need to feel comfortable speaking up about their concerns without fear of repercussions.

This requires a shift from clichés and buzzwords to practical language for dealing with real issues.  Development of  skills like listening, empathy, self-awareness, and curiosity to facilitate these conversations are needed. 

Ultimately, workplaces need to make good conversations and conflict resolution part of their routine to create a genuine sense of safety. This includes creating opportunities for more conversations, improving managers' conversation skills, and having informal systems to catch grievances early. By doing so, companies can establish a foundation of trust and truly invest in employee wellbeing.