Well-being at work: responsibility of the employer or of the employees?

Interesting controversy, isn’t it? First of all, the answer that comes to almost everyone’s mind is that the company is responsible for the occupational well-being. The constant scrutiny of the media and public opinion demands that their personnel carry out their work in the best possible conditions.

It is up to them to establish appropriate health and safety guidelines. In many cases, companies have specific programs that promote health among employees.

However, once information and opportunities to improve their well-being at work are made available to them, they are the ones to decide whether or not to implement them.

The problem of the top-down approach

The recurring lack of effectiveness of this system usually stems from its top-down approach. The measures to try to achieve well-being in companies are imposed from above. Employees do not participate in establishing them.

Since these are not personalized recommendations, few are those who commit to them. To turn this situation around, the responsibility for the well-being at work must be shared between the company and the employee. Instead of general suggestions, proposals tailored to specific needs generate commitment on both sides. 

This interesting concept of shared responsibility is what we at Cloudworks want to highlight in this article. Because a collaborative professional environment facilitates the joint success of the parties involved. 

Occupational well-being and the responsibility of company and employees

Companies are aware of the important role they play in the well-being of their employees. There is no question as to their responsibility for their safety while in the workplace. In fact, it is legally regulated.

Although it is the company’s obligation to provide a safe working environment, it is also up to the employees to comply with the established rules to ensure that this safety is effective. Therefore, we are talking about a shared responsibility to achieve well-being at work.

Physical and mental wellbeing, the responsibility of employees

Many companies have implemented programs to promote employee health. Yoga classes, discounts at gyms or offering healthy food are just some examples.

However, if the employees do not get involved, the healthy proposals will fall on deaf ears. They are the ones who have the last word. Companies are not required to go further. Its limit will be to generate an environment that facilitates employees’ well-being at work. This well-being encompasses the physical, mental and emotional spheres. 

Creating a non-toxic environment

Well-being at work is promoted by the company by creating a non-toxic environment. That is, where there is no room for sexism, sexual harassment or workplace harassment. Poor management of the workplace increases the stress of the employees who live there on a daily basis. 

It is essential that the company values positively the individual contributions of its employees. It is an acknowledgement of their performance. An emotional reward that encourages the employee to continue on this productive path.

When competition is high and performance is continually compared to that of other peers, lack of self-esteem and toxic relationships arise.

In these situations, the concept of shared responsibility is fundamental to well-being in the companies. Employees must also strive to team up and seek joint success. Their collaboration in the occupational welfare can be through:

• Development of healthy responses to anxiety. Binge drinking, binge smoking or poor eating is not the best response to cope with a problem. Physical exercise or meditation, on the other hand, can lead to improved health and clarity of thought. 
• Limit the working day to the necessary hours. Limits should affect both people and technology. Being available around the clock is very stressful for many employees.
• Talk to the direct superior. It may be uncomfortable, but our physical and mental health comes first. Their mission is to analyse and understand that we are facing a stressful situation and look for solutions. 
• Ask for a day off if necessary. It is an effective way to recharge your batteries to avoid the negative effects of anxiety and exhaustion. Problems are faced in a different way with a healthy mind.
• Sign up for the company’s wellness program. More than a few companies today have specific programs for the well-being of their employees. Yoga, pilates, spa… Those that have implemented these programs retain more talent than those that do not consider the physical and mental health of their employees to be important.

At Cloudworks we also believe that well-being in companies is a responsibility shared with the employees. The right environment must be created to carry out the work activity in the most optimal conditions. Companies provide the framework and employees address how they work and take care of themselves. The best formula to make it all work.Are you interested in having your start-up share responsibility for well-being at work? Are you looking for the right space to carry it out? Then get in touch with us!