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Summary
- Sometimes back, a global survey conducted by insurance company Aetna International reported that 63 per cent of 4,000 workers surveyed wanted their companies to spend more on health and well-being initiatives.
- E-commerce giant Amazon announced plans to roll out wellness chambers called “AmaZen” last week to offer stressed workers a place to sit and watch relaxation videos.
In addition to the massive public health crisis caused by the covid-19 pandemic, it has also led to an increase in mental health problems and a rise in stressed and emotionally exhausted workers.
Sometimes back, a global survey conducted by insurance company Aetna International reported that 63 per cent of 4,000 workers surveyed wanted their companies to spend more on health and well-being initiatives.
Another study by the University of Warwick found that workplace well-being initiatives led to a 12 per cent boost in productivity, whereas unhappy employees were seen to be 10 per cent less productive.
Moreover, undertaking such initiatives would benefit employers by ensuring employee satisfaction and loyalty. Due to this, some companies have started rolling out initiatives to help their staff in the wake of this crisis.
Also Read: How can technology help tackle the burgeoning mental health crisis?
Amazon’s wellness chambers
E-commerce giant Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) announced last week its plans to roll out wellness chambers called “AmaZen” in its warehouses to help its staff sit inside the chambers and watch relaxation videos such as guided meditations, positive affirmations and other calming sounds.
Amazon shared the news on the social media platform Twitter (NYSE:TWTR). However, the company deleted it shortly thereafter, following criticism from social media users. The company has previously come under fire multiple times due to poor working conditions and other facilities provided to its workers.
Also Read: Amazon’s green energy initiative: strikes deal to buy over 380MW of clean power
Dr. Meisha-Ann Martin, director of people analytics at human resource platform Workhuman, said that relationships between employees and managers need to be handled with care and respect in order to create a more holistic workplace and help employees manage their mental and physical well-being.
Dr. Martin also added that while the leader and direct report relationship is critical, organizations should also establish an infrastructure to promote mental health in the workplace by engaging employees in activities not related to work.
Well-being initiatives
Creating a comfortable work environment, the introduction of mindfulness programs, offer flexible work schedules, social outreach programs and encouraging cycling or walking to work are some of the researched methods to boost employee well-being that an organization can undertake.
