Wellbeing is a state in which an individual enjoys good health and a broad sense of happiness. The Polish translation, "dobrostan" (well-being/welfare), aptly defines it. But how does this concept apply to professional matters? It is increasingly discussed in the context of corporate life, referring to an employer's efforts to ensure the well-being of their employees, based on the principle: a happy and well-rested employee is a good employee. To help improve the mood of their team members and, in turn, facilitate their path to achieving even better results, employers are introducing wellbeing programmes into their organisations.

Wellbeing in the Organisation – Definition

What do wellbeing programmes include?

Wellbeing programmes are extremely popular these days – and for good reason. More and more people are struggling with overwork, declining well-being due to stressful lifestyles, or simply overstimulation. Often, there's no time or energy to take care of oneself, whether it's getting basic check-ups, exercising, or doing "something for the soul."

Companies specialising in running wellbeing programmes for organisations have risen to meet this undeniable global challenge – and have been met with a very positive reception. The health-promoting activities implemented within these programmes don't require a lot of time, are clearly relaxing, and also offer a good opportunity to take a break from work. So, what do these wellbeing programmes for employees include? Examples of events organised in companies include:

several-minute stretching exercises with a professional trainer
several-minute muscle-relaxing massages
voluntary free flu vaccinations
short yoga sessions
relaxation sessions with an instructor
inviting a company to the office that provides freshly squeezed fruit juices for employees throughout the day
health education
consultations with specialists (doctors, dieticians, trainers, etc.)
training and workshops on mental resilience or stress management
anonymous sessions with therapists and psychologists

What constitutes wellbeing?

Wellbeing can be defined in various ways, but Gallup's description has gained exceptional popularity. Based on public opinion research, Gallup's specialists identified five elements that significantly impact overall well-being:

Career Wellbeing – feeling that you like what you do or that your work brings satisfaction.
Social Wellbeing – having friends, a loved one, and good relationships with colleagues or neighbours.
Financial Wellbeing – effectively managing your household budget, feeling financially stable.
Physical Wellbeing – feeling well-rested, having energy to act, being in good shape, and overall good health.
Community Wellbeing – effectively engaging in your community life.

Why is it worth promoting wellbeing in an organisation?

Introducing wellbeing programmes or other elements aimed at improving employee well-being brings significant benefits to a company. One of the most important is increased employee productivity – the more rested, calm, and satisfied they feel, the more engaged they will be in performing their duties or improving their work pace. Wellbeing in an organisation is therefore a form of investment in the company.

It is also worth noting that caring for employee well-being is an important element of employer branding. Freshly squeezed juices in the office, offering psychological support during a pandemic lockdown, a work break for laughter yoga, a bring-your-pet-to-work day, or free blood tests at a professional clinic are work events that employees might happily tell their loved ones about or share on online forums. And they certainly portray the company as a good, trustworthy employer!

Classes, workshops, or meetings conducted as part of wellbeing initiatives are also an excellent opportunity to integrate employees and thus strengthen teams. They positively influence the work atmosphere, help relieve tension and stress, which can even contribute to resolving conflicts between employees more easily or preventing their occurrence. They are also an opportunity to see colleagues from a more "human," everyday side, which also positively affects relationships within teams. And, as an added bonus, they provide positive energy for the rest of the day!

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Wellbeing in the Organisation