![[People matter] Riding the wellbeing wave](images/loader.gif)
[People matter] Riding the wellbeing wave
Part 2. We’re back with the scoop on the hottest trends in employee wellbeing that are lighting up the retail world.
It’s time to dig into why these trends are making waves and why they matter for your business. So grab your metaphorical surfboards, and let’s ride this wellbeing wave together!
The wellbeing revolution: Why it’s gaining steam…
Businesses everywhere are realising that when they invest in the wellbeing of their employees, something magical happens. And that magic? It’s called employee retention. When you make your employees feel valued and supported, they stick around for the long haul. Studies have been shouting it from the rooftops—happy employees are loyal employees.
For instance, check this out: Gallup did a study and found that when employees are super engaged in their work and feel all warm and fuzzy about their workplace, they’re more likely to stay put. Engaged employees also become cheerleaders for their company and become wizards at avoiding those pesky absenteeism and turnover issues.
And guess what? The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) got in on the action too. They discovered that companies that put their money where their wellbeing is see some seriously cool perks. Think more engagement, higher productivity, and a major drop in absenteeism and turnover rates. Talk about a win-win!
Cracking the code to retention
But how do you weave these wellbeing trends into your business and make retention dreams come true? Here’s the inside scoop:
- Flexible awesomeness: Thanks to the pandemic, flexible work is the new cool. Remote work, flexible hours, and shortened workweeks are all part of the game. It’s like giving your team the freedom to rock their work and life in their own awesome way.
- Mind matters: Mental health is taking centre stage, and for good reason. Stress, burnout, and anxiety? Ain’t nobody got time for that. Many smart companies are offering mental health resources like counselling services and mindfulness training to keep their teams in tip-top shape.
- Wellness bonanza: Wellness programs are all the rage. From fitness classes to nutrition coaching and wellness challenges, they’re like a one-way ticket to a healthier and happier crew.
- Money talk: Financial stress is real, and businesses are stepping up to the plate. Financial wellbeing programs, like teaching financial smarts, budgeting tools, and retirement planning, are giving employees peace of mind.
- Social butterfly mode: We’re all about connection, and so are businesses. Virtual team-building activities, shoutouts for a job well done, and employee resource groups are bringing everyone together for a wellbeing party.
?The trendsetting trends?
Alright, let’s get to the good stuff—what are these trends everyone’s raving about?
Championing mental health: Stress, anxiety, and burnout? They’re no match for companies that are all about mental health. With counselling services, mindfulness training, and employee assistance programs, businesses are stepping up to the mental health plate.
Flex appeal: Flexible work is king. Remote work, flexible hours, and the compressed workweek are changing the game. Work and life are finally becoming besties. Even in the world of retail with long shifts, we’re seeing good changes and adaptations that are working.
Wellness wonders: Wellness programs are like the cool kids on the block. Fitness classes, online lunch yoga, nutrition guidance, and wellness challenges are helping employees embrace healthier lifestyles.
Money matters: Financial wellbeing is getting the spotlight it deserves. Financial education, budgeting tools, and retirement planning are the superhero tools fighting off financial stress. (Ps: The Retail Trust have a whole toolkit on this subject that you might find helpful).
Social superstars Connection is the name of the game. Virtual team-building, peer recognition, and employee groups are fostering that sense of belonging we all crave.
In a nutshell, these wellbeing trends are reshaping how we work and thrive. Mental health support, flexibility, wellness programs, financial wellbeing, and social connections are the stars of the show. When businesses dive into these trends, they’re not just building a better work environment—they’re creating a happier, healthier, and more engaged workforce.
So, let’s embrace these trends and ride the wellbeing wave to brighter horizons.
Ps: If you missed Part 1: Creating an awesome employee vibe with wellbeing, it’s here.
