Measuring Employee Wellbeing

Measuring Employee Wellbeing: Employee wellbeing and the impact it has is high on the agenda of every business leader for a great number of reasons… Firstly, we spend a lot of time at our workplaces, eight to twelve hours a day, therefore the atmosphere should be pleasant and comfortable with positive, happy people! Leaders have a vested interest in attracting the right talent for our company and then retaining it. Employees whose wellbeing is prioritized as generally more loyal. Finally, the wellbeing of your employees will often be in direct relation to how well the organization is performing… So, happy employees make for happy bottom lines. It’s really that simple. Here are three areas to consider when measuring employee wellbeing in your organization.

1. Engagement

It’s hugely important that employees not only enjoy their work but also that they enjoy the time spent with their colleagues. It’s also crucial that they are proud of their organization and brand. In a 2015 survey, Gallup found that employees who are engaged at work are 30 percent less likely to call in sick… in one year, they miss 70 percent fewer workdays than those who aren’t engaged. So, it is vital to keep informed of your employees’ concerns and career hopes and if your organization is supporting them sufficiently and giving them room to grow. Investing in wellness seminars and sporting activities for your organization has been shown time and time again to massively boost engagement (as well as productivity and retention).

2. Productivity

In a study by Quantum Workplace, it was found that employees were 18 percent more likely to put in extra effort when they felt their employers cared about their well-being. It follows then, that high-quality work and high productivity equates to a good level of wellbeing (and vice versa). Therefore, be sure to study employee performance regularly (not just yearly) to track KPIs.

3. Retention

A lot of employers aren’t aware of how closely related wellness and retention are. Basically, engaged employees are more loyal to their employers and organizations. According to a survey by Gallup, engaged employees are 59 percent less likely to look for another job – an extremely high number! So, looking at how your organization retains employees will give you a pretty good indication of the wellness levels at your workplace. Perhaps it’s the entire organization or just a certain department that needs to be focused on. Make sure your department heads or HR department conduct regular surveys and have regular informal chats with staff to understand how they are feeling and if they need a boost.