Last month we talked about how building awareness around mental health in the workplace can remove stigmas and encourage open discussion for managers and employees. This is just one of many important elements that come together to create a healthy and positive workplace culture.
A company’s culture can have a significant impact on your bottom line and even your employee benefits plan might be affected. Read on to understand why culture matters in your organization, how you can develop a thriving workplace culture, and what resources are available to you to improve employee well-being.
1. Why Workplace Culture Matters
There is a direct correlation between workplace culture and the level of an employee’s engagement and their retention in an organization. The environment that a person works in has a significant impact on how they feel in their day-to-day. Company culture is central to creating that environment.
It’s often said that a happy employee is an engaged employee. If the atmosphere at work is unpleasant with unhealthy workplace practices and culture, this can have consequences for a person’s mental health. Cases of burnout tend to go up, driving long-term disability claims or an employee may feel inclined to leave the company altogether.
2. How to Create a Healthy Workplace Culture
We’ve already looked at how mental health awareness can help prevent longer term issues for an employee. This is definitely a great place to start when working to develop a positive culture in your workplace. However, mental health is just one piece of the puzzle – there are plenty of other factors to consider as well.
Having well-defined corporate values creates a sense of purpose and can help align team members across the company. Encouraging collaboration and open communication between teams is also crucial. Corporate social responsibility plays a big role in the fabric of a company’s culture. Community engagement, sustainable environmental practices, and social well-being all contribute to the feeling that an employee is making the world a better place by working with your organization.
Internal programs and initiatives are also great drivers of workplace culture and employee engagement. A meaningful onboarding process starts a person off on the right foot when they begin to work with a company. Recognition programs keep the ball rolling by giving managers the opportunity to show their appreciation on a regular basis – a simple thank you can go a long way. Finally, an emphasis on training and development can inspire growth with a spirit of continuous improvement for both the employee and company.
3. What Resources You Can Rely On
Developing a positive workplace culture starts on the inside with the way you operate. However, there are plenty of resources out there that you can share with your employees to focus on their well-being. Look out for newsletters from your employee benefits provider with details on new resources or additions to your plan like programs to address anxiety, helpful reports, or access to informative articles. Employee Assistance Programs and virtual healthcare are commonly available in an employee benefits plan. There are also several community resources offered by the government.
There are many different types of mental health services provided in Saskatchewan that are available to residents in the province. 211 Saskatchewan offers free and confidential 24/7 service that connects people to community, social, non-clinical health, and government services across the province. The Saskatchewan Health Authority’s Adult Mental Health Clinics provide free community-based services focused on mental health and well-being.
Conclusion
Workplace culture and employee well-being go hand in hand. It’s important to understand how the two impact each other. It is also important to make it a priority to foster a healthy and positive culture in your business. To find out more about what resources are available to you, get in touch with us. We are be happy to share.
Wondering about preventative health and how to encourage wellness activities in your organization? Stay tuned for our next post to learn more!
