How many people get up in the morning thinking: “I cannot wait to get to work today, I love what I do!”? The irony is that many people never experience this feeling. Sad but true…
One seldom contemplates how your work environment influences you and how you feel about the workplace. The work environment includes not only the people you work with or colleagues, but also the physical environment. Temperature in the space where you work, air quality, natural light, noise, colour of interiors, quality of office furniture ensuring comfort and support, availability of a relaxation area for enjoying your tea break or lunch, all these factors contribute to your overall contentment at work, or not. You sometimes don’t even realise that your body is going into distress if these factors are not in place.
Sitting the entire time while working is not beneficial to an employee’s health. Some of us don’t necessarily have a choice as all our work happens either on a computer or piece of equipment where we need to sit down. Standing booths available for employees to adjust their body position at a floating desk that allows for height adjusting; an area outside where employees can stretch their legs, enjoy plants or even a little garden and get some fresh air could bring some relieve to employees. A communal garden where employees can help to maintain and care for a vegetable or herb patch and flowers can have a positive effect on people. Bringing nature into the workplace or to a space just outside the office door, has had a very positive impact on employees.
We need to start looking at the workplace differently. Most people will probably be able to be more efficient if they perceive their employer looking after their physical and mental wellbeing. Many companies already have departments designated to promote the wellness of employees, wellbeing however comprises of so much more. This should become the norm and not the exception.
Medwell SA offers an Occupational Health & Wellbeing option for companies. For more information, visit www.medwell.co.za or send an e-mail to info@medwell.co.za
