The surprising news? You don’t need to run expensive or complicated programs to support wellness in your team. Simple, practical initiatives can create a real impact.
At Catalyst Partners, we help organisations not only find top talent but also support them with creating workplaces where people want to stay. Since today is World Mental Health Day, let’s look at some easy ways to promote wellness in your workplace, with a special emphasis on mental health.
We all know sitting for hours on end isn’t great for us. So why not shake things up? Encouraging employees to move more during the day can be as simple as promoting walking meetings, offering standing desks, or even starting a company-wide fitness challenge.
Take a cue from creative companies like Adobe, where team step-count competitions have become a regular (and fun) way to promote movement. A little friendly competition can get people moving while boosting team spirit.
It’s tough to stay energised if you’re snacking on sugary treats all day, so support your teams to consider swapping those out for healthier options. Stock your office with fresh fruit, nuts, and other nutritious snacks to keep your team fueled and focused.
Depending on where your office is located there may be a number of healthy lunch spots close by. Consider approaching them for a ‘locals discount’ for your teams where everyone benefits: your teams get moving, get outside and save money whilst supporting local businesses. Healthy eating is a small but mighty way to boost employee well-being.
On World Mental Health Day, let’s start making mental wellness a priority.
Mental health is just as important as physical health – if not more so. Providing access to mental health resources like confidential counselling services, meditation apps, or even mindfulness workshops can work wonders for reducing stress and burnout.
Providing ‘duvet days’ is a great example of supporting your employees practise self-care and prevent burnout. A duvet day is a type of unscheduled leave that allows employees to take a day off work without needing to provide notice or a specific reason. It is essentially a day to rest and recover. Have you ever taken a duvet day, or is this something you or your business is considering?
Prioritising mental health at work boosts productivity, reduces costs, and fosters a positive work culture. It ensures employees feel valued and supported, leading to higher job satisfaction and retention.
Flexibility is no longer a perk; it’s an expectation across the generations of the workforce and not just younger workers. Allowing flexible working hours, remote work options, or even compressed workweeks can help employees manage their personal lives alongside their professional responsibilities. When people have more control over their schedules, they’re more likely to stay happy and productive.
Creating a structured work from home schedule for teams and using one communication platform such as Slack or Teams, can be a way to embrace remote working while keeping teams connected and supported. Offering this kind of flexibility shows that you trust your teams and consider their well-being – and it’ll help with retention, too.
Appreciation and recognition have a greater impact than you might think. Creating a culture where achievements, big and small, are celebrated will boost morale and build team spirit.
Consider setting up a recognition program or encouraging giving each other “shout-outs” for great work over team WhatsApps or Teams chats, or other group messaging platforms you have. Offering small rewards or public recognition for hard work and collaboration helps create a positive and supportive workplace atmosphere.
At Catalyst Partners, we know that supporting employee well-being goes hand in hand with finding and retaining top talent. On World Mental Health Day, it’s the perfect opportunity to start making positive changes. Whether it’s mental health initiatives or finding the right balance for your team, we’re here to help you build a healthier, happier workplace.
Connect with our team today to learn more about how we can support your HR and People needs and build a workplace where employees truly thrive, or to chat about the opportunities we have where the company culture is industry leading.
