Aristotle, the Greek philosopher said “Man is by nature a social animal”. We’ve heard this quote several times but never has it felt more relevant. As the pandemic continues, limiting our human interactions has become the norm, giving rise to a feeling of a lack of connection and constantly depleting our social wellbeing.
The end of the year approaches and festive spirits are high for the most part. However as we plan our celebrations, the holiday spirit is threatened by the fear of contracting the virus or spreading the virus to our loved ones. A sense of loneliness will cause most of the workforce, especially those that stay away from home to feel an all-time low. Moreover, chances to socialize with friends or colleagues are also infrequent and rife with worry about the virus.
What can the company do to lift spirits? Here’s where social wellbeing plays a role!
The need for social wellbeing has picked up considerably over the past couple of months. Companies are giving it as much importance as physical, emotional, and financial wellbeing.
But why so? What does the term social wellbeing mean?
Social wellbeing is the relationships you have and how you interact with them. At a workplace, social wellbeing of an employee means having a work-life balance and positive interactions with your colleagues, both inside and outside the work environment.
Why does social wellbeing matter to the organization?
According to ILO, the wellbeing of the employee is a key factor in determining an organization’s long-term effectiveness. Many studies show a direct link between productivity levels and the general health and wellbeing of the workforce. Each aspect of wellbeing has an impact on employee experience. In terms of social wellbeing, an employee who feels valued, who has a positive relationship with their co-workers and believes in the same values as their company will work towards proving their worth and will be personally invested in the success of the company.
Should it be a priority?
Social wellbeing has long been viewed as a one-time feel good employee offer. But a sense of belonging is needed for better employee engagement and in turn, better productivity. This is where social wellbeing is key, in creating an environment and culture that the employee relates to and is willing to go the extra mile for.
Research has also shown that positive relationships at the work are one of the greatest predictors of happiness and reduced stress. Therefore, it is important for employers to promote a culture that encourages social interaction and helps employees socialize. Especially in the current environment, where loneliness plagues most employees. Read “Reduce the impact of loneliness – can the company help better an employees’ social wellbeing” to know what you can do for your employees this festive season.
How do you integrate a social wellbeing plan into your current wellbeing brand?
- Understand your employee’s demographics and assess their needs
Be it WFH or those at office, on the production floor or always on the move – everyone has their own needs. You need to be aware of the same. Run a survey to understand needs, assess expectations and set baseline metrics. - Tie in existing social or CSR events under your wellbeing brand
There is no need to reinvent programs that are already working. Just tie them all under the main brand calendar. These include events that already promote people building good relationships with teammates. - Collate feedback
Ask employees what they like about the initiatives. Analyse what difficulties they are facing. Use this feedback for better future planning. - Readjust your program
Revisit your baseline survey when you conduct the same survey again in 6 months. Include feedback collated across initiatives and be mindful of any changes in employee requirements.
If you do not have a wellbeing brand in place, read ‘5 steps to build the best wellness program ever!’ to get started. If you need a wellbeing program that is ready-made, relevant and ready to roll out – Wellbeing on the Web is your solution. A digital wellbeing program that focuses on the four vital pillars of wellness – physical, financial, social and emotional to ensure holistic wellbeing is an easy goal for your workforce. It’s a total wellbeing solution, featuring telemedicine, dietitian services, live fitness classes, informative webinars, newsletters, articles on the latest trends on health and wellness and more! Have a glimpse here or reach out to us here.
