When we talk about Corporate Wellbeing we refer to the general health and well-being of employees within the business. Promoting and improving it has become increasingly important for companies because it has a significant impact on productivity, employee engagement and the overall success of the company.

In this article we explore in detail what it is, why we favour it and how to improve it.

What is Corporate Wellbeing?

It refers to the health, well-being and satisfaction level of employees within a business. It incorporates a focus on the mental, emotional and physical well-being of employees, thus contributing to improved productivity, engagement and quality of working life.

Promoting it not only improves employee satisfaction but can also lead to:

• An increase in productivity;
• A lower absenteeism rate;
• Increased staff retention.

In addition, it can help build a positive corporate culture, creating a healthier and happier working environment for everyone in the company on a daily basis.

Several aspects contribute to corporate Wellbeing, the main ones being:

• Physical health – inclusion of fitness programmes, access to sports activities or physical well-being within the workplace.
• Mental and emotional health – stress management support, counselling programmes, personal development paths to help employees cope with mental and emotional challenges.
• Work-life balance – promotion of policies that enable employees to better manage time between work and private life.
• Corporate culture – creating a collaborative, inclusive and supportive working environment that fosters mutual support, open communication and appreciation of diversity.
• Benefits and incentives – health insurance, financial support, recognition or incentives related to employee welfare.

Mental Wellbeing

It concerns the psychological and emotional health of the employee. It is an essential aspect of an individual’s overall wellbeing and affects the way we deal with stress, make decisions, manage emotions and relate to others.

Investing in employees’ mental wellbeing can not only improve their level of satisfaction, but can also lead to higher productivity. Furthermore, fostering a culture that values mental health can benefit both the company and the individual, contributing to a better quality of working life.

There are several aspects that can help cultivate this aspect in the workplace: 

• Psychological support – psychological support programmes, counselling or resources to help employees deal with stress and mental challenges.
• Positive working environment – create a working environment that promotes positivity, collaboration and mutual support between colleagues.
• Work-life balance – encourage policies that include flexible working hours or the possibility of working remotely.
• Open corporate culture – promoting a corporate culture in which employees feel free to talk about their mental challenges without fear of discrimination.
• Training and awareness-raising – providing training on mental health issues, raising awareness among managers and employees on the importance of mental wellbeing and learning how to support colleagues in need.

Physical Wellbeing

This aspect focuses on the physical health of employees in the company. Promoting it helps reduce absenteeism and fosters a more collaborative working climate. Some common strategies to promote it include:

• Physical activity programmes – organise sports activities, yoga classes, exercise sessions in the company.
• Ergonomic work environments – provide ergonomic equipment and make employees aware of the importance of correct posture to prevent repetitive strain injuries.
• Promoting a healthy lifestyle – offering information and resources on the benefits of a balanced diet and encouraging healthy eating habits.
• Improving sleep quality – provide advice on how to improve sleep quality, raising awareness among employees of the importance of good sleep for productivity and personal well-being.
• Medical care and prevention – offer prevention programmes, access to regular medical check-ups and other initiatives aimed at improving employee health.
• Incentives for a healthy lifestyle – create programmes that encourage healthy behaviour, such as rewards for achieving health-related goals or insurance coverage that supports a healthy lifestyle.

Wellbeing and corporate welfare

As discussed in the previous sections, corporate Wellbeing refers to the general well-being of employees within the company. Corporate Wellbeing initiatives aim to create a healthy and stimulating working environment, promoting employee happiness, health and well-being.

There is another complementary aspect that needs to be considered when discussing these topics: corporate welfare. This concerns the more practical and tangible aspects, such as the benefits and services offered by the company to employees, which may include health care, insurance, social security aspects, tax benefits, subsidies, training programmes, leisure facilities and other advantages designed to improve employees’ lives outside the workplace.

While corporate well-being focuses on the physical and mental well-being of employees, corporate welfare refers more specifically to the services, benefits and concrete measures offered by the company to support employees in managing their personal and professional needs.

Integrating both approaches can contribute to a healthier, more satisfying and productive working environment, providing tangible support for all and encouraging a focus on the human aspect of business.

The importance of taking care of employees’ well-being in the company

Healthy and happy employees tend to be more productive. This translates into greater commitment to work, lower absenteeism and a marked improvement in the quality of work performed. Companies that care about the well-being of their employees tend to have better staff retention: each team member is more likely to stay with the company if they feel genuinely appreciated, supported and if the company offers them a positive environment.

Well-being initiatives reduce stress and dissatisfaction, factors that can negatively affect employees’ work performance and health. A company that places the well-being of its employees at the centre becomes more attractive to talent seeking a healthy and stimulating working environment. 

Employee well-being is a strategic investment for companies. Promoting and supporting the physical and mental health of employees not only improves their individual well-being, but also contributes to the long-term success and sustainability of the business. In addition, healthier employees require less medical care, which significantly reduces the company’s extra costs.

The risks of a lack of well-being in the company

A lack of employee wellbeing can have a number of negative consequences that directly affect company performance and the overall reputation of the business in the market and in the eyes of potential investors.

Investing in employee well-being is really important to promote a healthy, satisfying and productive working environment. Neglecting this aspect can lead to a number of risks and negative impacts for both employees and the company itself including:

• Low productivity. Employee dissatisfaction, stress and lack of corporate support can lead to reduced productivity and efficiency.
• High absenteeism rate. Employees who feel stressed and/or dissatisfied may be inclined to take more frequent days off, thus increasing absenteeism.
• High turnover. A negative working environment can lead to high company turnover. The loss of experienced employees can be costly and detrimental to the company, especially if additional resources are needed to recruit, train and integrate new team members.
• Bad corporate reputation. A company with a toxic working environment risks gaining a bad reputation. This can influence the perception of potential new talent and customers towards the company.
• Negative corporate climate. Lack of collaboration, conflict and inability to handle internal challenges are all aspects that can undermine corporate culture and team cohesion.
• Unforeseen additional business costs. Dealing with staff turnover, loss of productivity and frequent absences can lead to additional costs for the company, such as recruitment, training and reintegration costs.

How to measure corporate Wellbeing in employees

Measuring corporate wellbeing involves a mix of quantitative and qualitative methods aimed at obtaining a comprehensive view of employee wellbeing and identifying areas where the company can take action to improve it. Let’s look at the assessment parameters together:

• Surveys and questionnaires. Use specific surveys or standardised questionnaires to assess the level of employee satisfaction.
• Absenteeism rates and turnover. Monitor absenteeism rates and the frequency of staff changes. A significant increase or decrease may be indicative of wellbeing problems.
• Organisational climate analysis. Conducting surveys on the working environment and corporate culture to assess employees’ perceptions.
• Health data analysis. Examine employee health data, such as wellness programmes, doctor visits or health insurance benefit data, to assess the impact on wellbeing.
• Feedback. Provide an ongoing opportunity for employees to contribute their anonymous feedback through online platforms or other channels. This makes it possible to collect regular information on their emotional state and general well-being.
• Participation rate in wellbeing programmes. Measuring participation in corporate wellbeing programmes (such as fitness classes, mindfulness programmes or team building activities) can provide insights into the perception and impact of wellbeing.
• Performance and productivity. Monitoring employees’ performance and productivity can provide clues to their emotional state. A sudden or persistent drop could indicate problems related to wellbeing.

The Benefits of Corporate Wellbeing

Investing in corporate wellbeing is a strategic advantage that not only improves the lives of employees, but also contributes to the long-term success and sustainability of the company itself. Taking care of this aspect offers numerous benefits for both employees and the business. Let us look at them together:

• Improving employee well-being: wellbeing initiatives can improve the physical and mental health of employees by reducing stress, improving sleep and promoting healthier lifestyles.
• Increased productivity: stress reduction and a better work-life balance can lead to increased performance in the workplace.
• Increased engagement: satisfied and motivated employees are more likely to give their all and feel involved in achieving company goals.
• Lower absenteeism: investing in wellbeing can reduce absenteeism rates due to illness and stress.
• Improved corporate reputation: a company that takes care of the well-being of its employees gains a better reputation among both potential candidates and customers. This can lead to increased attractiveness of the company and greater customer engagement.
• Improved corporate culture: employee well-being contributes to a more positive, inclusive and collaborative working environment. This fosters the creation of a strong and positive corporate culture.
• Reduced healthcare costs: with healthier and less stressed employees, the company can benefit from reduced healthcare costs associated with stress-related and work-related illnesses.

If you would like more details on how Kilpatrick can help you better organise your company’s Wellbeing activities, contact us now: we can hire the right professional, with who you will be sure to provide each team member with a mix of services ranging from mental health counselling to the promotion of a healthy lifestyle and work flexibility.