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Harnessing In And Out‑Of‑Office Wellness Activities To Improve Employee Wellbeing

Rosie Hyam, People Partner at Just Eat for Business

Employee wellness is a term I hear often from prospective talent and existing staff when asked about what they look for in a role. Naturally, it has now become a notable goal for business leaders and HR professionals to aim for, particularly as we continue to adapt to hybrid working, to ensure that employees feel their wellness needs are being attended to. It has become the responsibility of facilities managers to ensure the correct benefits are in place for a content workforce.

The Current Benefits Landscape

Many employers are now leaning towards in‑office benefits working arrangements. According to our recent research, two of the perks most valued by employees are benefits that can be redeemed in or around an office: development training (74%) and food (68%). This suggests that employees seek perks that enrich their lives, such as training, and offer an opportunity to collaborate and socialise with others, such as through perks of food.

It’s not just the in‑office arrangements that are making employees feel valued, though. According to our most recent survey, 70% of employees now have access to some form of ‘extra’ benefit, on top of those traditionally offered by employees, and these perks and benefits are particularly effective. 73% of participants said that the benefits they receive contribute to their wellness in some way. This is supported further, with two in every three saying that they appreciate their employers more for providing them. Many of these packages focus on activities and perks that can be used outside work and the office setting, such as gym memberships and health insurance, for example. These provide a sense of consideration for worker’s wellness, beyond the office.

Combined with the in‑office perks that aim to bring employees together within the office, both in‑and‑out of office perks collectively show employees that they are valued, and can often result in increased motivation to do their best work.

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The Future Of Benefits At Work

In the planning stages, employers and facilities managers should consider the purpose of their benefits when choosing their benefits programme. For 90% of workers, socialisation is the most important element of in‑office work, therefore, office workers and facilities managers should direct any benefits included in their programmes with this in mind, focusing on activities that employees can do together. Not only will this ensure that employee wellness is being attended to, but also improve workplace productivity and engagement.

Shared meals can present an excellent option to include in an office‑focused benefits package. These meals can contribute to a positive working culture by fostering deeper connections between team members. This is highlighted in Just Eat for Business’ research, with seven out of ten employees rating food‑related perks at work as ‘very valuable’. Despite this, 37% of all companies involved in the research offer no food perks at all, an area that should be a focal point for business leaders looking to support their staff. Introducing food perks is a relatively easy thing for leaders to do, and that can have a much bigger impact on their team.

Employers that implement these in‑and‑out of office benefits will achieve better productivity while protecting their employees’ needs. It’s important to recognise, though, that these solutions need not be simple yes or no inclusions. With food, as an example, employers can offer a range of possibilities including subsidised catering, team lunches, and credits for nearby supermarkets. Any of these serve to support their employees’ relationships with each other, and engagement with the company, which should be front of mind to all business leaders and facilities managers who are preparing their employee wellness strategies.