A lot of time and effort goes into ensuring customer wellness is made a priority, but we should also focus on employee health, too. Employers are now expected to focus on their employee's health and wellbeing. Our clients demand this of themselves and contractors invited into their workplace.

Wellness of the workforce is now a consumer demand. Higher quality, wellness routines, zero waste, diet, corporate responsibility, sustainability or ‘healthy workplaces’ are all within this agenda.

Consumers are now savvier about purchasing and this includes tendered contracts such as cleaning and catering. Business and Industry as well as Education clients, have an expectation that their workplace should hold themselves to account when considering the health and wellbeing of their own employees as well as that of customers. 

So, what should be considered best practice?

On average, staff turnover in hospitality is now 30% and average work life in a role of just 10 months, something needs to happen to promote loyalty and community within businesses. Using the following responsible outlooks could impact on wellness and strategies to improve happiness in the workplace could create stability in your workforce;

Stress Reduction- Use of technology to create manageable work lists and reduce stress. By standardising tasks, employees are better equipped to deal with unexpected situations. Providing simple physical strategies to promote stress relief is also a great way to support staff. Breath work, meditation or forums where staff can share or have quiet space are all positive outlets.

Responsibility- Where a line manager is responsible for individuals, an understanding of the state of health of each employee can be achieved. Workplace wellness, as defined by Global Wellness Institute, is any workplace health promotion activity to support healthy behaviour and to improve health outcomes. Free medical screenings, health coaching, weight loss support, stress management, health club membership and online education are all things that could be offered to support individuals in your workplace.

Action- Employers actively listen to customers and this should be used to address expectations and wellbeing of employees. Establishing programmes to assist and support employees shows a seriousness about staff retention and productivity. Being open about successful strategies. Education for senior staff in emotional intelligence and wellbeing, ensures they are aware and equipped to recognise and deal with problems and take simple positive actions to influence then work environment.