Did you know that a workplace has a state of health? The World Health Organization (WHO) defines a healthy workplace as one in which “workers and managers collaborate to create and use a continual improvement process to protect the health, safety and well-being of all workers (…)”. This definition is founded on four pillars: the physical work environment, in relation to safety at work; participation in the community through actions that have a positive impact on society; the psychosocial work environment, with work-life balance and well-being policies; and personal health resources in the workplace, creating healthy habits and promoting health. We will focus on the latter two because of their direct influence on people.
This good state of health of the workplace has a positive impact on the organisation. If a person feels good in themselves physically and mentally, they will also have a more linear and optimal work performance. In addition, it also improves the work environment, since these actions influence people’s emotional well-being by promoting workplaces with more communicative, collaborative and cohesive teams. Moreover, it increases the motivation and commitment of people to the organisation, as it helps to foster the feeling of belonging, reinforcing loyalty and attracting talent. And lastly, it improves the image of the company by showing it to be an entity committed to the environment and its partners and, ultimately, committed to society.
Nowadays there are companies with highly developed and consolidated workplace well-being policies. In this regard, the actions to be carried out should be proportionate to the size of the company and the sector in which it operates. For example, to help develop and improve a workplace environment, emphasis can be placed on carrying out small actions to increase the well-being of people at work within the company. So, we could implement a programme divided into four blocks such as: nutrition, reinforcing and promoting healthy eating habits through talks or workshops, or agreeing healthy daily menus with a catering company; good posture, with short breaks throughout the day for stretching, which in turn allow for mental relaxation; physical activity, promoting the benefits of an active lifestyle with group outings to the countryside with routes accessible for everyone, or organising sporting events in which employees can actively participate; and emotional well-being, consolidating actions and policies so people can balance work and personal life through actions such as flexible working hours, remote work or reduced working hours.
But beyond this definition, a healthy company should be one that ensures that its people feel cared for and identified with the values and culture that define it, focusing on their work and personal needs. As a result, the first thing a company must do to be healthy is to get to know the different groups of people that make up the company and their needs, and to involve them in defining proposals that can help improve their daily work life. Ultimately, the company must listen and put its people at the heart of its operations.
Published in Diari d’Andorra 15.02.24