Prioritizing your employee’s well-being is like giving them a warm blanket on a snowy day—essential for comfort, resilience, and helping your team weather the season’s challenges. ❄️ But what exactly does employee well-being involve and how do you ensure that your employees aren’t left out in the cold? Keep reading as we breakdown everything employee wellness including why it is important, related laws and regulations, and how employee well-being impacts your business.
What is Employee Well-Being?
Employee well-being is the overall mental, physical, emotional and economic health of your employees. It is influenced by various factors such as employees’ relationship with their co-workers and the tools and resources they have access to. Working hours, pay and workplace safety also play a significant role in employee wellness. Although employee well-being looks different for everyone, it should be at a level that allows all employees to have a productive and healthy workplace.
Why is Employee Well-Being Important?
Employee well-being is a fundamental building block to a company’s success. Creating wellness strategies and initiatives can help employees feel valued and supported at work. This results in increased employee engagement which can motivate teams to accomplish companywide goals. Not sure how to be proactive about your employees' well-being? Stay tuned for our blog post later this month where we give you some employee wellness initiative ideas.
Employee Well-Being Laws and Regulations
In Canada, several laws and regulations are in place to protect and promote employee well-being, addressing health and safety, work-life balance, and mental health in the workplace. Below we have compiled a broad overview of some of the key regulations:
Occupational Health and Safety Acts (OHSA)
Each province and territory has its own Occupational Health and Safety Act that sets standards for safe working conditions. These laws outline employer responsibilities to ensure workplaces are free of physical hazards, provide necessary training, and report any serious accidents.
Canada Labour Code (for Federally Regulated Workplaces)
The Canada Labour Code sets out minimum standards on health, safety, and wellness for federally regulated employees (like those in transportation, banking, and communications).
Employment Standards Acts
Every province has an Employment Standards Act or equivalent that dictates minimum employment conditions, such as hours of work, minimum wage, overtime pay, vacation, and statutory holidays. These standards ensure that employees are not overworked and have time for rest, contributing to physical and mental well-being.
Human Rights Acts and Anti-Discrimination Laws
The Canadian Human Rights Act protects employees from discrimination based on gender, race, disability, and more. Employers are also required to make reasonable accommodations for disabilities, including mental health conditions, supporting a more inclusive workplace.
The Advantages of Good Employee Well-Being
Aside from the obvious benefit of the well-being of your employees, employee wellness can also have various positive influences on your business.
1) Improves performance
When employees feel well, they tend to perform better. According to the Gapin Institute, companies with highly successful health initiatives generate 11% more revenue per employee.
2) Higher employee morale
When employees’ needs are met, they feel valued and are more likely to believe in their abilities. This morale promotes positive attitudes and teamwork amongst your employees.
3) Attracts and retains skilled employees
Many job seekers value a workplace that prioritizes employee wellness. According to Connecteam, 38% of Gen Z job seekers consider a healthy working environment to be their number one factor when choosing an employer.
4) Company reputation
Employee well-being plays a significant role in shaping a company’s reputation, affecting how it’s viewed by potential employees, clients, and the public at large. By prioritizing employee wellness, you create a positive and trustworthy reputation for your company and express to customers that you are a people-centered business.
Unlike the snow, employee well-being isn’t only relevant for a season and it's important that you support the wellness of your team year-round. At the end of the day, your team is the heart of your company and it’s important that their wellness is supported and prioritized. That said, the ideal set of employee wellness initiatives varies based on company and it can be difficult to determine your perfect mix. Luckily, there are employee wellness professionals that are just a click away! Here at STEPS, we offer small business support services and can work with you to create tailored employee wellness initiatives. Explore the following links to learn more about our services or how to contact our team.
Comentarios