At the outset, it cannot be easy to imagine that there’s a connection between employee wellness and sustainability. The fact of the matter, however, is that many of the same practices and mindsets that affect one issue also influence the other.
One of the main contributors to these problems is the ‘hustle’ mindset that many industry members, leaders, and employees alike have accepted as the unchangeable norm. For years, businesses have followed the thinking that promotes brute-force hours spent as a solution to most problems. This results in workforces constantly pushed to the brink, chasing metrics (like hours worked, time spent at the desk, and raw quantity over quality) that fail to measure real, efficient productivity. It follows that employees are left drained and unsatisfied, but how does that connect to sustainability?
An organization that is conscious of keeping a healthy work-life balance naturally has more opportunities to cut down on wasted resources, from significant structural changes (like hybrid or remote set-ups, which result in fewer resources spent on office fees and difficulties) right down to the materials used during work (like choosing digital over hard copy, or even something as small as offering alternatives to disposable plastic cups at the water cooler).
It goes the other way around, too, since a business that pursues sustainable methods may already be primed for employee wellness improvement. In the words of physician Parneet Pal, “We can’t be well on a sick planet.” Efforts to make the work environment more environmentally friendly translate well into conscious care for employee wellbeing. When the surroundings are thoughtful and healthy, the people working in them can lead healthier, happier lives, allowing them to contribute efficiently to organizational efforts and create a positive cycle.
And remember, just because an employee is physically well doesn’t mean they are leading a healthy, satisfying life. While work isn’t everything, it has a significant impact on people’s lives, as well as their physical and mental health. Although it is only one of many possible stressors that someone has to deal with daily, efforts should still be made to minimize the adverse effects. It doesn’t stop there, though, because ‘being healthy’ doesn’t stop at ‘not being sick’ – fostering a work environment that makes employees feel safe, supported, and stimulated (instead of strained) turns work into a net-positive experience which in turn encourages satisfaction, loyalty, and productivity.
Some of the best changes you can make to pursue sustainability and employee wellness might be staring you in the face, and you don’t know it! Significant problems in both spheres stem from a commitment to a working model that doesn’t match the natural needs of human biology and the planet itself, unrealistic workloads that compromise sleep schedules, and policies that generate more waste than wins, just a few examples. By practicing mindfulness and attentiveness, you can spot the strain points in your processes, identify the root cause, and nurture a better alternative.
