Workagile – USA
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Products
    • Huddlebox
    • Rokkadot
    • Nimble
    • Neena
  • Projects
  • Resources
  • Stories
  • Contact Us
Workagile – USA
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Products
    • Huddlebox
    • Rokkadot
    • Nimble
    • Neena
  • Projects
  • Resources
  • Stories
  • Contact Us

The varying pursuits of wellness at work

by RobS4 March 1, 2019
Woman outside using mobile phone - Blurred background

Did you know that in 2018, over 15 million working days were lost due to work-related stress, depression or anxiety?

With working habits being scrutinised under a spotlight, organisations are exploring ways to promote wellness at work. The rise in agile working encourages people to work in comfortable environments, such as from their home or coworking spaces, whilst flexi hours offer a fluidity to the traditional 9-5 timeline that enables people to work the hours they need in order to be productive.

A few quick fix tips for wellness at work have sprouted up on the internet, with many companies implementing free fruit, standing desks, and on-site yoga classes. These are positive steps towards encouraging wellbeing at work, however workplace wellness definitely needs a greater and more holistic approach.

In some instances, people are looking for an extreme wellness fix; The Sunday Times recently reported on workers seeking ‘peak zen’ which included hyperbaric oxygen chambers, activated charcoal shots, and magnesium and amino acid intravenous drips. Even businesses are upping the ante: The Vitality Group is a company that designs corporate health promotion programmes with a carrot and stick mentality. It is believed that employees who meet health benchmarks will be rewarded, and those that don’t will be punished somehow. Whilst the data will be anonymous, workers’ health statistics, including BMI, smoking and stress levels, would be available for stakeholders to see. If this isn’t carefully and considerately communicated to people, it could do considerable damage; using fear of exposure to ‘motivate’ employees is more likely to lead to a mass exodus.

An article in Vogue described the obsession with mindful massages and yogalates as “wellness fatigue” So, what is the answer in the pursuit of a healthy and happy workforce? The solution, unsurprisingly, seems to be about balance. Just like a recipe, it’s about combining a variety of ingredients that together create something wonderful.

Instead of foosball tables and coconut water, ask workers what works and what doesn’t. In Neil Usher’s book, The Elemental Workplace, he explores how there are simple components that can contribute to healthy, people-centric workplaces. Factors include access to daylight, suitable social and technological connectivity, choice of where to sit so that focus work can be conducted in appropriate areas. Connect remote workers through a strong workplace culture, investing in the daily wellbeing of each person wherever they choose to work.

The physical working environment plays a key part in the pursuit of wellness at work. With more than a third of job seekers saying that they would be put off accepting a role if a company had outdated décor, it is easy to see why it takes more than free bananas to create a healthy working lifestyle. It’s the warp and weft of the organisation; its culture, sense of community, a plethora of ideas-generating workspaces and an agile workforce.

Take a tour round some of the very best office designs across the world, start with Sky Central in London, WeWork in Bengaluru and Airbnb in Portland.

previous post
Innovative multifunctional furniture from around the world
next post
Office design inspiration – Anomaly, London

Projects

  • Branding the Huddlebox

  • Creating an urban workspace for WSP Manchester

  • Incorporating Agile Working into your workspace

  • A sustainable, flexible and multi-use co-working space for Barking Riverside

  • 4Com celebrates Bournemouth office move.

  • Helping HSBC to Work Agile

  • Workagile create innovative workspace solution in collaborative venture

  • Small Space – Big Ideas

  • The Law of Attraction – Creating a Marketable Space

  • Breaking Convention With An Agile Meeting Space

  • From start-up to grown up

  • Deliveroo rock the Rokkadot

  • Empowering new ways of working with FX Plus at Falmouth University

  • Travelfusion – Cool, Contemporary, Colorful

Connect with us

Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest Linkedin
USA

2149 Avon Industrial Dr.,
Rochester Hills, MI 48309
inquiries@work-agile.com
(248) 340-3781

 

 

UK

Ground Floor, Westmead, Aylesford,
Maidstone, Kent. ME20 6XJ
london@work-agile.com
+44 (0)20 3904 6688

 

France

13 rue Louis Aragon, ZI La Vignasse,
07800 La Voulte sur Rhône
sales@work-agile.com
01 70 70 82 60

Copyright © 2021 Workagile Ltd | Privacy Policy | Warranty | Site by S4