“Your job will take a large part of your life, and the only way to be satisfied with it is to do a great job. And the only way to do a great job is to do what you love!” Said Steve Jobs.
The work must then be carried out in an environment of well-being. Indeed, building a workplace well-being policy allows both to reduce psychosocial risks, and to maintain a collective climate, and even boost motivation at work.
It is necessary to underline that the notion of well-being at work is an encompassing concept, of broader scope than the notions of physical and mental health. It refers to a general feeling of satisfaction and fulfillment in and through work that goes beyond the absence of harm to health.
However, according to a study published in February 2019 by BVA-BPI Group entitled “Employee barometer. Health and well-being at work“, 38% of employees in France suffer from stress, one in two feels tiredness related to work overload, and 63% say they are potentially affected by the risk of professional burnout. Perhaps more serious: according to the same survey, only 15% of the employees questioned noted their company’s involvement in improving their quality of life.
However, on the employer side, the issue of well-being in the workplace is not new. “It has arisen since the beginnings of Taylorism” recalls Danièle Linhart, sociologist, specialist in the evolution of working conditions and director of research at the French National Centre for Scientific Research. There has always been the idea that people who feel good about themselves are more productive than those who are unhappy.
In recent years, well-being at work has become a real factor in productivity and employee loyalty. Once neglected by companies, it is now necessary to create a climate of well-being within the company.
How to create a healthy environment and well-being within the company?
From now on, companies do not hesitate to invest in spaces exclusively designed for the well-being of employees, such as lounges. These are usually spaces outside of the office or open space, quiet and allowing for a real break. It is therefore a place of exchange, which invites discussion and relaxation. There is often a sofa or armchairs, as well as the traditional coffee machine. This community space is a social rallying point that makes it possible to meet colleagues from all departments, and thus improve communication between the teams.
Well-being in the workplace also involves the detection of Psychosocial Risks (PSR). These actions to detect psychosocial factors and risks appeared in the early 2000s thanks to national and inter-professional agreements in order to avoid disastrous consequences for the employee and the company.
According to a study by the International Labor Office, occupational stress is constantly increasing, and depression becomes more and more common. Unattainable goals and time pressure are considered as the main factors of stress in business.
In fact, each person has its own conception of the quality of life at work. Also, according to the OpinionWay survey “The French and well-being at work“ carried out for Hub One, the well-being of employees in France depends mainly on:
- A caring and friendly working atmosphere (29%);
- The ability of managers to recognize the quality of the work performed (13%);
- Equality and respect for employees (11%).
In that sense, it is critical , as provided by law, to provide adequate support to , and prevent “burn-out”.
Immersed in embodied, more colorful and lively offices, employees are happier, inspired and efficient. They could enjoy working in a setting that reflects the DNA and culture of the company.
On this sunny morning, Jean-Luc chose a large, fairly formal black table near the terrace with a view of the rooftops of Paris and the Sacré-Coeur. Pierre preferred the armchairs in the library, laptop on his knees.
At Nexity’s head office, rue de Vienne (8th arrondissement), on the fifth floor, everyone can sit where they want, depending on their mood. For two and a half months, the teams dedicated to commercial real estate have taken possession of completely refurbished premises with sofa areas, high tables, small meeting rooms, winding tables and nap triangles.
Finally, well-being at work is enhanced when the performance of tasks is facilitated, particularly in the context of case management.
In a caring environment, employees are doing well and more than that, they feel good. The absenteeism rate is much lower, and when your competition is losing momentum, nothing is stopping your teams with iron health and fiery motivation!
