The Great Place To Work UK study “Stress and Wellbeing at Work: A European Outlook” reveals the essential role of prevention in protecting workers from chronic stress and in creating a work environment that allows them to perform at their best.
Stress is a factor to be considered especially in the post-Covid-19 back to work phase.
Therefore, organizations must implement the creation of a corporate culture based on trust and the introduction of personal practices focused on health and wellbeing.
Work-related concerns are frequent in Western countries, for this reason it is necessary to recognize the importance of measures aimed at managing stress and promoting wellbeing, in order to prevent burnout and other serious health problems.
The Culture Audits GPTW has been carrying out for over 30 years, show that organizations that actively protect their employees from chronic work-related stress through monitoring and other prevention mechanisms benefit from positive outcomes, such as greater productivity and loyalty, less absenteeism and a higher morale of workers.
The goal is not the elimination of stress, because the so-called eustress can be positive at low levels, but the improvement of wellbeing and resilience, in order to allow people to be efficient, healthy and to achieve their best even under pressure.
Great Place to Work UK has developed a Wellbeing Model to theorize and measure workplace wellbeing in a holistic way.
The model divides the concept into six different fundamental aspects, concrete or intangible, related to each other: from Work Environment) to Fulfillment.
Stress management must be a starting point, but the long-term commitment must focus on improving wellbeing and resilience in order to allow workers to perform better even under pressure.
In addition to a culture of trust, transparency and authentic interaction, personal practices focused on health and wellbeing can significantly contribute to this journey.
GPTW has selected five prevailing issues that can contribute to a successful wellbeing and health strategy:
1. Responsibility and wellness strategy
2. Accountability and inclusion
3. Personalized programs
4. Technological support
5. Impact measurement
Upper photo by Luis Villasmil on Unsplash
