As organizations move beyond the pandemic, workforce development is changing in fundamental ways. For example, wellbeing has emerged as a top workforce priority, and this concern is shaping learning agendas. In fact, according to a recent survey, 68% of employees say wellbeing training will be important to them this year.
But what does this mean for employers? It tells us that workplace learning isn’t just about job-related skills anymore. It means life skills and personal growth are now integral to the modern employee experience.
Even so, why should employers care about training that reaches beyond work-related skills and capability building? Aren’t those priorities demanding and difficult enough to tackle?
That’s a fair question. However, a more holistic approach can be much more beneficial for employers and employees, alike. When people develop knowledge and skills that enrich their lives both personally and professionally, their job performance improves. They tend to be more focused, committed, and engaged in their work. And they’re often happier and more satisfied in general.
In short, wellbeing training is good for organizations as well as employees. But what does this look like in practice? For a closer look at what you can expect as an employer and how you can achieve the best results, let’s dig deeper…
The Benefits of Wellbeing Training
This kind of training is not just an investment in an individual’s personal development. It’s a multi-faceted learning strategy that builds mental, physical, emotional, and financial competency and resilience. It empowers employees to maintain a better work-life balance. As a result, they feel healthier and happier. Ultimately, teams become more satisfied, engaged, focused, and productive at work.
Here’s how effective wellbeing training makes a difference in several key ways:
1. Reducing Stress and Anxiety
Work settings can be high-pressure environments. This is why people appreciate learning how to manage stress and anxiety more effectively. Popular methods include mental health awareness and resilience training, dedicated wellness days, and team-building activities.
46% of employees agree that these efforts can reduce stress and improve mental health. How? As people learn how to handle stress better, they become more calm and composed throughout the work day. This contributes to a healthier work environment for all. And as stress declines across your organization, your absenteeism rate and risk of burnout should also decrease. These improvements, in turn, contribute to a more positive, productive work atmosphere.
2. Boosting Engagement
Organizations everywhere continue to struggle with low engagement. That’s why many employers are looking for ways to build deeper, more lasting connections with employees. Wellbeing training helps accomplish this by focusing on personal growth and mental health, which enhances job satisfaction.
When employees feel supported, valued, and understood, engagement levels rise. They become more invested and involved in their work, and a stronger sense of personal fulfillment follows. Productivity and performance improve, too, which contributes to organizational success.
3. Improving Employee Health
Wellbeing programs that promote mental and physical wellness can be highly rewarding for individuals as well as their employers. From exercise routines and group activities to nutrition advice and coaching, these initiatives are an effective way for individuals and teams to choose healthy habits and make lasting lifestyle changes.
But there’s also a clear financial advantage for organizations that invest in this kind of wellbeing training. Businesses benefit directly from healthier employees. People who feel better are less likely to be sick or absent, and are more likely to be alert, energetic, productive. And of course, their healthcare costs are lower.
4. Strengthening Mental Focus
Employees who are able to pay attention to their work throughout the day are a tremendous asset to their team and their organization. Why? Because focused employees are less likely to make mistakes and are generally more productive.
This is why employers often include concentration and mindfulness courses in their wellbeing training curricula. It helps employees learn how to improve their ability to focus, which means they can work more efficiently and effectively.
5. Supporting Work-Life Balance
For optimal wellbeing, employees must be able to establish and maintain a reasonable work-life balance. Wellbeing training gived employees the skills and tools they need to effectively blend work responsibilities with family commitments, social relationships, and personal pursuits.
Better work-life integration reduces stress and leads to employees who are happier, more satisfied, and content. What’s in it for employers? Reduced turnover rates and a stable workforce.
Key Elements of Employee Wellbeing Training
Effective wellbeing education is based on a multifaceted approach that integrates at least three core elements: mental, physical, and financial health. Let’s explore each of these components in more detail:
1. Mental Health
Mental health training is crucial to cultivating a resilient, confident, robust workforce. Topics like mindfulness guide employees through techniques that help them focus on the present. They learn to remain aware and respond more constructively in stressful situations. Mindfulness can also improve cooperation and collaboration in team settings.
Training in psychological safety is another key mental health topic. It helps leaders provide a supportive work environment where employees feel welcome to share ideas and opinions without fear of negative consequences.
Stress management techniques are also an integral aspect of mental health training. This kind of education equips employees with tools they need to manage daily work pressure without suffering psychologically.
2. Physical Health
Physical wellness is an equally important aspect of wellbeing education, because it focuses directly on employee energy levels and overall productivity. For instance, teaching people about eating habits and food choices helps people understand the vital role that nutrition plays in maintaining good health.
Encouraging physical activity and a healthy lifestyle is also essential. When people learn how even moderate exercise can significantly improve physical and mental wellbeing, they can make small changes in their daily routine that have a significant impact on their wellbeing.
Promoting effective sleep practices is another important factor in the physical health equation. When people recognize that adequate rest is a key to daily functioning and long-term health, they can easily modify their behavior and feel better quickly.
3. Financial Health
Here’s a stunning fact: In 2023, 56% of American workers struggled with financial and mental stress from high medical bills. That statistic alone sends a strong message about the importance of financial stability as a critical component of overall wellbeing.
Financial fitness training focuses on providing basic instruction in personal financial concepts and money management skills that are crucial for personal and professional stability. Educating employees on budgeting and managing debt and credit is vital to reduce financial stress. Sessions on saving techniques empower employees to build a safety net that improves their financial security. And guidance in setting realistic financial goals helps with long-term planning.
Employee Growth Depends on Work Skills Training and More
Future-minded organizations recognize that effective employee training considers the whole person. Smart employers know it pays to help employees grow in every way — not just at work, but in their personal lives, too. That’s why employee wellbeing training is rapidly gaining traction.
Think about it this way: When employees are educated in mental, physical, and financial health, they’re learning much more than skills that will help meet basic job requirements. They’re becoming happier, healthier, and more balanced individuals who will be more willing and able to contribute to your organization’s goals.
This elevates engagement and performance today, and reinforces retention for tomorrow. It is beneficial for your workforce, and even more beneficial for your business. If you want to attract and retain the best talent, this is an opportunity to create a competitive advantage. So why wait any longer to develop a culture of wellbeing?
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