European Union unveils new program to boost workplace health focus
In today's workplace, promoting a healthier environment is essential for both employee well-being and increased productivity. A healthier work environment, focusing on cleanliness, movement, and healthy eating, can significantly improve overall health, morale, and job satisfaction.
**Cleanliness**
A daily cleaning checklist is an effective way to maintain a clean office. This checklist should cover desks, doorknobs, phones, keyboards, conference tables, and kitchen counters to reduce germs and allergens. High-touch surfaces, especially in high-traffic areas, should be disinfected multiple times a day to minimise illness spread. Regular deep cleanings, including carpets and upholstery, are necessary to maintain overall hygiene.
Enhancing environmental wellness is also crucial. This can be achieved by maintaining HVAC systems, using air purifiers, and adding indoor plants to reduce pollutants and improve employee well-being. Controlling noise levels and optimising lighting can contribute indirectly to a healthier environment.
**Movement**
Office fitness challenges, such as team step contests or short physical activity breaks, can encourage employees to be more active during the workday. Wearable fitness trackers can provide motivation and reward regular activity or participation in exercise competitions. Providing ergonomic furniture like adjustable desks and chairs with lumbar support can promote better posture and reduce physical strain.
Consider setting up quiet zones or phone booths where employees can stand or stretch while on calls. Small units of movement, such as walks or stretches, can be beneficial during office breaks.
**Healthy Eating**
Partnering with cafeteria managers or vending machine vendors to offer and highlight healthy food options is a great start. Providing price discounts for these choices can encourage employees to make healthier choices. Promoting healthy eating through challenges that encourage employees to eat nutritious meals for a set period and share recipes or healthy food photos can foster a culture of health.
Organising workshops or providing resources on preparing healthy meals can support lasting dietary changes. For more health and well-being at the workplace, it is recommended to rely on healthy alternatives for food.
Regular hand disinfection is a practical everyday helper for maintaining hygiene and protecting against infection with viruses and germs. Sufficient opportunities for hand disinfection should be provided in both restrooms and the office.
Unhealthy food choices during lunch breaks are common in many office spaces. Fresh air and lunch in a nearby park can provide opportunities for movement and a change of posture during office breaks. Regular breaks for movement can help counteract physical problems and pain in the office.
A healthier work atmosphere promotes a significant increase in job satisfaction for employees. A cleaner work environment can lead to fewer absences due to illness, increasing productivity for employers.
Delivery services are often the most convenient way of nutrition for office employees, but they may not always offer healthy food options. For a healthier workforce, it's essential to prioritise cleanliness, movement, and healthy eating.
- Implementing a fitness and exercise program like office fitness challenges or providing ergonomic furniture for better posture can contribute to workplace-wellness and improve overall health-and-wellness of employees.
- To foster a culture of health, partnering with cafeteria managers or vending machine vendors to offer healthy food options, and organizing workshops on preparing healthy meals can support employee well-being and job satisfaction.
