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National Workplace Wellbeing Day

31st March 2017 was National Workplace Wellbeing Day in Ireland. It is the third year the initiative is taking place with more and more companies getting involved each year.

This is an amazing and positive initiative for Irish companies and the aim is to improve employee wellbeing through promoting better exercise and nutrition through the workplace.

We all know how much time works consumes of our lives, so to have initiatives like these are fantastic. It’s all about getting a balance for employees, however the real challenge is making them more permanent and not just something fun and different to do once a year.

Depending on the environment you work in, often workplaces can be very tense and high pressure. Without having a balance, this constant pressure can be draining for employees and leave them feeling burnt out. There is also the fact that sedentary office jobs are proving detrimental to our health. New research emerging says, ‘sitting is the new smoking’ and will be a leading factor in major illness in the future (read Deskbound: Standing Up to a Sitting World by Kelly Starrett). Having options and outlets for employees to look after their wellbeing while at work is hugely beneficial and important to both employees and employers.

Below are some of the benefits associated with Workplace Wellbeing:

  • Higher levels of staff retention
  • Increased productivity
  • Improved staff morale
  • Reduced sickness and absenteeism
  • Reduced levels of stress
  • Increased job satisfaction
  • A safe and healthy work environment
  • Improved staff health
  • Reduced health care/insurance costs

Simple ways you can implement a Workplace Wellbeing Initiative:

  • Have monthly nutrition talks
  • Promote walking/standing meetings
  • Have lunchtime yoga/meditation classes
  • Have healthier lunch options (fresh fruit, vegetables, smoothies etc)
  • Have a competition for most steps in a day/week/month
  • Walk to another employee in another department as opposed to phoning or emailing them
  • Offer health screening
  • Promote the bike to work scheme
  • Promote walking, jogging, cycling to work (partner with a sports shop for staff discount)
  • Promote simple desk exercises/stretches

For more information, click here

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