How to Promote a Thriving Workforce with Employee Wellness Surveys

According to a global report from Gallup, only 33% of employees are “thriving” in their well-being. So what happens to the rest of the 66%?

In the corporate day and age we live, employee health and well-being are getting more and more traction. As stress and fatigue threaten to decrease employee productivity and motivation every day, the only way for companies to keep their employees engaged is by taking care of their well-being.

Workplace wellness surveys are a step in the right direction, and this is exactly what we are going to discuss in this blog. 

Employee well-being encompasses the health, happiness, and overall job satisfaction of employees. It considers aspects of both their professional and personal lives beyond just physical health.

There are 7 aspects that contributes to creating a workplace where people feel happy, healthy, and valued.

1. Mental Wellness

This is all about how we think and feel. Just like we need to keep our bodies healthy, it's important to look after our minds too. Mental wellness in the workplace means making sure employees don't feel overly stressed, anxious, or depressed and have support when they need it.

2. Social Well-being

Humans are social creatures, and feeling connected to others at work can make a big difference in how happy we are. Social well-being happens when we have good relationships with coworkers, feel like we belong, and support each other.

3. Emotional Well-being‍

This one's about understanding and managing our feelings. A workplace that cares for emotional well-being is a place where people can openly share their emotions, celebrate the good times, and find support during the tough ones.

4. Physical Wellness

Keeping the body in shape is not just about avoiding sickness. It's also about having access to healthcare, working in a safe and comfortable place, and maybe even joining in on some company fitness programs to stay active.

5. Financial Security

Money matters, and feeling secure about our finances affects our peace of mind. This means being paid fairly, having good benefits, and maybe even learning a bit about managing money better.

6. Professional Development

Growing in our jobs makes us feel good. It's about learning new things, getting better at what we do, and feeling like we're moving forward in our careers.

7. Work-Life Balance

Finally, there's finding the right balance between our jobs and our personal lives. This is about not working all the time, having flexible schedules if we need them, and respecting our time off work.

The relationship between employee well-being and organizational effectiveness is complex and mutually beneficial. Each has a big impact on the other. 

• Productivity and Efficiency: Healthy and content employees are key drivers of productivity and efficiency. Their physical and psychological fitness contributes to higher engagement, focus, and productivity.
• Job Satisfaction and Morale: Creating a positive work environment that emphasizes health and happiness elevates job satisfaction and morale, which in turn boosts corporate retention and reduces attrition and associated costs.
• Creativity and Innovation: Companies that genuinely focus on employee well-being foster a culture of creativity and innovation. Employees are more inclined to share ideas in an environment that supports their professional and personal growth.
• Work Relationships: The health and happiness of employees also influence work relationships. Strong social ties and camaraderie among team members are essential for effective problem-solving and cooperation, leading to a more harmonious and productive workplace.
• Impact on Absenteeism and Presenteeism: Well-being initiatives decrease absenteeism and presenteeism by ensuring employees are physically and mentally fit. This leads to employees being more present and engaged at work.

There is a strong correlation between employee health and satisfaction and organizational efficiency.

Prioritizing these aspects results in higher productivity, happier employees, more innovative solutions, better teamwork, and reduced absenteeism, contributing to the overall success and improvement of the firm.

Employee wellness programs offer far-reaching benefits that extend beyond the creation of a positive workplace environment and happier employees. Here's a closer look at the multifaceted advantages these programs provide:

1. Enhanced Physical Health: Wellness programs often feature fitness classes, health screenings, and nutritional guidance. Adopting a healthier lifestyle can boost employees' energy levels, reduce the risk of chronic diseases, and improve overall physical health.
2. Improved Mental Health: Many wellness initiatives include mindfulness practices, psychotherapy sessions, and stress management techniques. By addressing stress, anxiety, and burnout, these programs contribute to a more supportive and positive workplace atmosphere.
3. Increased Productivity: A healthy workforce is a focused and effective one. Programs that promote regular exercise, balanced diets, and stress reduction have been shown to significantly boost productivity levels in the workplace.
4. Cost Savings on Healthcare: Wellness programs encourage preventative healthcare measures and healthier living choices, leading to savings on healthcare costs for both employees and employers. This results in fewer sick days, lower medical claims, and reduced insurance costs.
5. Reduced Absenteeism: Employees engaged in wellness programs tend to take fewer sick days. By supporting both physical and mental health, these initiatives help to decrease absenteeism and build a stronger, more reliable workforce.
6. Increased Employee Motivation: Implementing a wellness program demonstrates an organization's investment in its employees' health and well-being, which in turn, motivates employees to perform better. This can lead to increased happiness, job satisfaction, and loyalty to the company.
7. Attractive to Potential Candidates: Comprehensive health and wellness programs make an organization more appealing to prospective employees, aiding in recruitment and retention efforts. A healthy and content workforce is more likely to remain with the company, minimizing turnover and recruitment costs.
8. Cultivation of a Healthy Workplace Culture: Organizations that prioritize the health and happiness of their employees cultivate a culture of wellness. These programs enhance the sense of community within the company and promote collaboration among employees.

Knowledge alone won't make a difference until your company decides to take action toward a healthier and more peaceful workforce. So here are some tried and tested effective ways in which you can power up employee health and well-being with the help of workplace surveys: 

#1 Design Comprehensive Surveys

Starting with comprehensive staff well-being surveys is an excellent idea. These surveys should include mental and physical wellness, work-life balance, and company culture. The correct blend of quantitative and qualitative indicators is needed to understand what employees like and dislike.

#2 Ensure Anonymity and Confidentiality

Protecting employees' privacy and anonymity is crucial while conducting surveys. This promise encourages employees to submit honest feedback, especially concerning mental health and their personal health.

#3 Ask About Specific Well-being Concerns

Surveys should address employees' health concerns. Questions might include how you set up your workstation, how frequently you exercise, and how successfully you use existing health programs.

This focused approach helps companies identify areas for improvement and ensures that health initiatives satisfy employee demands.

#4 Assess Awareness of Existing Programs

Understanding what employees know about current initiatives and their perceived value is essential.

Gathering feedback on the effectiveness and areas for improvement of existing programs can guide enhancements or the development of new initiatives.

#5 Explore Preferences for Wellness Activities

Identifying employees' preferred wellness activities is a key component of effective surveys.

Discovering their interests and hobbies enables companies to tailor more engaging and relevant wellness initiatives.

#6 Include Questions on Work-Life Balance

Incorporating questions about work-life balance and the impact of stress on health is vital.

This information helps companies pinpoint stressors and devise strategies to foster a better work-life balance for employees.

#7 Encourage Suggestions and Ideas

Surveys should invite employees to share their insights and suggestions.

Employees often have a clear understanding of what benefits them, making their input invaluable for co-creating effective well-being initiatives and boosting engagement.

#8 Communicate Survey Results and Actions Taken

Maintaining transparency by sharing survey outcomes and the steps taken in response builds trust and openness.

Demonstrating responsiveness to feedback shows employees that their well-being is a priority for the organization.

#9 Promote a Culture of Well-being

Cultivating a culture that prioritizes health and well-being requires time and continuous effort.

Organizations should underscore the importance of employee satisfaction and communicate that survey responses are valued contributions to nurturing a supportive work environment.

#10 Regularly Conduct Follow-Up Surveys

To effectively monitor the impact of health and wellness programs, conducting regular follow-up surveys is necessary.

This continuous feedback loop ensures that employee well-being strategies remain responsive and relevant to evolving needs.

Having trouble getting started? Well, we have got you covered! Here are some of the sample questions on which you can model your very own workplace wellness survey questions:

1. Are you sure that the amount of work you have to do each week is fair and doable?
2. Do you get tired a lot?
3. Do you have someone you can talk to at work when you're stressed?
4. Does our company normally talk about stress and mental health?
5. Most days, do you look forward to going to work?
6. How stressed are you most of the time? On a range from 1 to 10, where one means you're not stressed at all and ten means you're always stressed?
7. Do you think badly about your job a lot of the time?
8. Are you happy with your job? Is there someone at work you feel comfortable talking to about worry and other things that affect how well you do your job?
9. Do you think you can talk to your manager honestly about your work and what they expect from you? Could you take a mental health day without getting in trouble with your manager?
10. You might ask your manager for help keeping a good work-life balance. Would that be okay?
11. Are you happy with working for your direct manager? If not, why not?
12. How would you rate the level of communication between management and you and your coworkers?
13. Could you describe a time when you felt like management helped or backed you?
14. Would you be interested in being a manager?
15. What are some ways that management can get better at leading, working together, communicating, giving out tasks, and giving professional support?
16. Are you sure you can talk to management about a problem with a coworker? If not, why not?
17. Why do you want this person to be your manager?
18. Is this true for you: "My manager tries their best to work with me when I need to take time off for personal reasons"?
19. Do you often feel like your emotions are worn out?
20. How many hours do you work at your job every day?
21. Over the course of a day, how many hours do you spend looking at a screen?

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Winding Up

Every decision, every change, and every new activity starts and ends with the employees. That's how important they are to every organization. It is only fair that companies invest some of their time and energy in making the workplace a better place for employees to be in.

At ThriveSparrow, we specialize in creating tailored workplace wellness surveys. Let us know your survey goals, and we’ll ensure you get the actionable insights needed to enhance your workplace. Our platform makes collecting and analyzing employee feedback simple and effective, helping you create a healthier, more engaging work environment for everyone.