The healthcare industry operates under intense pressure—balancing productivity, safety, and efficiency, often in life-or-death situations. With these unique challenges, healthcare professionals, particularly nurses and doctors, are especially vulnerable to burnout. However, by taking an organizational approach to staff health and wellbeing, you can address burnout proactively, rather than waiting for employees to seek help on their own.
Research suggests that organizational health and individual employee health have a symbiotic relationship (MacIntosh, McClean & Burns, 2007). To support staff health in the workplace, we need to move beyond traditional “health and safety” frameworks and adopt a more holistic, strategic model for employee engagement and wellbeing. Healthy behavior change in the workplace requires a sustainable and thoughtful health strategy—like The ProMind Experience.
Here are four ways to prioritize employee health and wellbeing within your organization:
Here are 4 Ways To Keep Employees Healthy In The Workplace:
1. Practice Healthy Leadership
Healthy leadership is crucial to workplace wellness. As stress levels rise, organizations at every level feel the impact. Leaders who manage their own health set a powerful example for the entire team. Research shows that healthy leadership is directly tied to a healthier, more productive work environment (Koinig & Diehel, 2021).
While workplace health has been a focus since the 1990s, the rise of concerns about employee well-being during COVID-19 has underscored the value of healthy leadership. If organizations shift their focus toward prioritizing healthy leadership and understanding that employees are deeply connected to their work environment, they can gain the ultimate competitive advantage.
2. Engage Leadership Through Health & Wellness Committees
Creating health and wellness committees that are employee-led can be a great starting point for fostering wellness in the workplace. Begin by assessing whether there is support for such initiatives within the organization. If awareness around health promotion is lacking, consider collaborating with your Occupational Health and Safety Department. A proactive approach ensures your leadership understands the importance of organizational development and its connection to employee health.
3. Promote Work-Life Balance
Given the demanding nature of healthcare, promoting work-life balance is essential. Flexible scheduling can reduce stress, while ensuring employees have adequate rest breaks between shifts allows for both physical and mental recovery.
Provide access to healthier food options that support employee wellness. If vending machines on-site are filled with sugary snacks, start by offering healthier alternatives, such as fruit or veggie trays. Small changes, like promoting water intake over sugary drinks, can spark greater awareness of the importance of nutrition in the workplace. You can dive deeper into mindful eating with resources like Episode 31: 6 Super Easy Steps to Mindful Eating.
4. Partner With Experts In Employee Engagement or Health & Wellness
One of the most effective ways to enhance your health and wellness program is by partnering with external experts. Just like a DIY renovation might save money but lead to costly mistakes, trying to manage health programs internally without proper expertise can lead to inefficiencies.
External professionals can help implement programs that effectively change behavior, enhance awareness, and create environments that support good health practices. While employers may assume that these initiatives will reduce medical costs and increase productivity, failure to engage employees adequately can result in high turnover rates. The right external resources can bridge this gap and support your workforce on a deeper level.
Conclusion: A Holistic Approach to Employee Health
Adopting an organizational approach to employee health and wellness, rooted in strategic leadership and engagement, is essential to combat burnout and foster a thriving workforce. To truly make a lasting impact, focus on leadership that sets the tone for a healthy culture, create opportunities for feedback and involvement through wellness committees, ensure employees have work-life balance, and partner with the right external experts who can support your vision.
By integrating these four practices into your healthcare organization, you’ll not only improve employee well-being but also set the foundation for stronger team engagement, retention, and resilience.
Call to Action:
If you’re interested in creating a more supportive, resilient healthcare environment through strategic wellness initiatives, learn more about The ProMind Experience—a platform dedicated to promoting employee well-being and improving healthcare team retention, recruitment, and engagement. Reach out to us at info@thepromindexperience.com to start the conversation.
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