Survey after survey proves people value something other than money when it comes to their workplace well-being.
According to a new study by TNS Emnid, 55% of those Germans surveyed said their work environment informed their workplace well-being the most, followed by 42% who said it was their job assignment and only 38% said salary was the determining factor.
The Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index indicates that overall workplace well-being in the United States is actually down again. According to the June 2010 report, workplace well-being dropped another percentage point from May to 48.4%. The report states:
"[June] marks the 16th time in the last 18 months the WEI (Work Environment Index) has been under 50.0, after measuring above that plateau for all of 2008. Two important metrics of the WEI; a supervisor who treats you like a partner, not a boss and supervisor creates an open and trusting environment, both dropped a point in June."
We all remember those bosses that treated us like peons. But the most memorable ones were the supervisors that treated us like human beings.
In a recent Forbes.com article, Jim Harter and Tom Rath, co-authors of the book Wellbeing: The Five Essential Elements, identified five key areas of well-being for workers:
1) Social well-being
2) Community well-being
Among those who felt a high sense of social well-being, 49% of those surveyed in the Gallup poll stated they were thriving in their careers as well.
3) Financial well-being
Companies that foster financial responsibility in their workers such as offering reitrement savings plans can help stabilize a worker's well-being. "Successful money management and a feeling of financial security have nearly twice the impact of income alone on an employee's overall well-being," the authors claim. Not to mention the sense of being vested in the company overall, thereby reducing turnover rates.
4) Physical well-being
We all know a rested worker is a productive one. But how about a fit employee? Companies that invest in fitness rooms for their workers most definitely contribute to their overall health, thereby reducing absenteeism.
5) Career well-being
If you have to ask yourself, "Do I really even matter here?", you may not feel your company is supporting your professional development. Those that are encouraged at work tend to be more customer service-oriented, which improves the overall company image as well. The authors recommend that companies "[c]onnect your people to their work, focus on their strengths and recognize their accomplishments." A true power of slow suggestion!
What informs your workplace well-being? Is it the work environment? The type of job? Your salary? Benefits?
