Ahead of National Workplace Wellbeing Day, what elements of working life are of most value to today’s professionals?
At the end of the month, many workplaces throughout Ireland will celebrate National Workplace Wellbeing Day (30 April). This is a day that marks the importance of prioritising mental, physical and emotional health in the often busy working environment.
Ahead of that, Ibec, an Ireland-based representative body for the business community, has released research highlighting employee attitudes towards workplace wellness, company programmes and remote and flexible working models in a post-pandemic landscape.
Organisational flexibility
The survey, which involved more than 1,000 contributors, revealed that 68pc of participants regard hybrid and flexible working as being key to their overall wellbeing. Additionally, more than one-third (35pc) admitted that they would be willing to leave a high-paying job for a role that offered more flexibility.
According to the research, there has been a significant shift in attitudes toward workplace wellbeing post-pandemic, with nearly seven out of every ten participants (69pc) of the opinion that a focus on wellness has increased in importance for them in recent years.
It appears that this is being acknowledged by employers and organisations as 28pc of respondents observed an increase in wellness investment in their place of work, with 30pc citing a moderate rise in efforts. More than one-third (35pc) of participants, however, have said that they believe their line managers are not adequately trained or supported enough to lead the focus on employee wellbeing.
According to Danny McCoy, the CEO of Ibec, “We are now operating in a post-Covid work environment, where discussions on the future of hybrid work and the role of DEI initiatives continue to shape workplace wellness. What remains clear is the vital role of workplace wellness in supporting employees and fostering an environment where they can thrive.
“This research underscores that workplace wellness has never been more important. Companies must continue to invest in it, while staying agile to meet the evolving needs of their workforce.”
This was echoed by Patrick Haslett, a product manager at Ibec initiative KeepWell, who said, “The research also shows a strong connection between workplace wellness and hybrid or flexible work options. Employees clearly value flexibility, so much so that some are willing to leave well-paying jobs if hybrid work is not available.
“While hybrid work offers undeniable benefits, it also presents challenges that can unintentionally impact individuals’ overall wellbeing. As hybrid and remote work become more permanent, there’s been a growing focus on the downsides, such as isolation. Discussions around flexible work, both within and beyond the workplace, are crucial to developing long-term solutions that serve the best interests of employees and organisations alike.
“While organisations will continue to offer flexibility where possible due to its clear benefits, we can expect a stronger emphasis on intentional connection, such as ‘anchor days’, to ensure employees feel supported in all aspects of their wellbeing.”
Break it down
When it comes to demographics, while the research notes that feedback was fairly consistent between men and women, more men (62pc) supported physical wellness initiatives than women (43pc).
Women, on the other hand, were shown to prioritise company support for mental wellbeing far more than their male counterparts, at nearly two-thirds of those who participated, compared to just over half of the male contributors.
Employees at the beginning of their careers were also found to place a high value on social and community initiatives, as did those nearing retirement.
As shown in a recent survey by Robert Walters, the Irish jobs market is in a tenuous position. Employers and their organisations require a high-degree of flexibility in order to attract and retain talented professionals, in what is becoming a very competitive space.
For Irish employers looking to stand out, wellness programmes that focus on physical, mental and emotional wellbeing, that place the employee at the core of a company’s culture, are the way to go, at least for now.
Don’t miss out on the knowledge you need to succeed. Sign up for the Daily Brief, Silicon Republic’s digest of need-to-know sci-tech news.
