Let’s Chat: Healthy workplaces can exist
By Linda Tooth on October 25, 2023.
Employee exhaustion is a growing concern among HR professionals who are striving to create a healthy workplace environment. The job search company Indeed recently published a report called ‘Canada Work Wellbeing 2023 Report – How Thriving People Create Thriving Companies,’ and the data collected suggests companies and organizations are in serious trouble and need to act now to create and maintain a healthy workforce. Here are some of the statistics: Only 26% of the workers are thriving. Those 26% are more likely to be of an older generation and male. Seventy-four per cent of people not thriving at work are more likely to be Gen Z and millennials, females, or those facing some type of barrier or bias to employment. Well-being within an organization affects performance in retention and recruitment. What are some of the reasons people look for a new job? Stress, lack of happiness and satisfaction are the top contenders. Recruiting qualified potential employees has never been more of a challenge than it is today. Of those who took part in the survey, 43% indicated that workplace happiness and well-being are important, and they will take this into consideration before applying for a job. The last staggering statistic is that 87% of those surveyed stated that how they feel at work impacts their entire life. Technology has dictated that we are available 24/7, and our inability to shut off technology means we take our work home with us, which is unhealthy. It consumes us and we are paying the price for that. Finding a company that offers an enticing work/life balance opportunity is an incentive employers must take into consideration when working toward recruiting and retention of staff members. How can companies become a leader and not a loser when it comes to a healthy workplace? Managers and those in senior leadership roles take note, this is about you. Start by not expecting people to overwork when not needed, do not promote a toxic work culture, and lastly start by understanding the struggles your employees are facing daily. We are into cold and flu season and COVID is making a return. Children, students and employees are getting sick. Inflation is high and people are struggling to figure out how to pay their daily household bills. By showing some compassion you might be surprised at the return you get. Linda Tooth is a communications instructor at Medicine Hat College 14-13
