Planning is a critical factor in workplace well-being and engagement, yet it's a topic that is often overlooked. Too often, businesses struggling with high levels of employee sickness and poor well-being try to treat the symptom instead of addressing the root cause. It may seem logical to focus on well-being when people aren't well, but the first thing businesses need to ask themselves is whether their people are engaged. Unfortunately, the general answer to that question for most businesses worldwide, particularly in the UK, is no. This is important for two major reasons. Firstly, if people aren't engaged at work, they're more likely to play the system and take sick days because they can and don't enjoy work. Secondly, if people aren't engaged, they won't be energised by their work, making it difficult for them to find the motivation to look after their health.
The next question is, how do you create an engaging workplace? It's not as challenging as it may seem, but it appears that most businesses are failing to achieve it because they are relying on outdated processes. To create a highly engaging workplace, businesses need to do well in four key areas: strategic narrative, engaging managers, employee voice, and integrity. The first three of these can be addressed through regular, well-structured planning meetings. Yearly, teams should get together to review the previous year and the year ahead. Quarterly, they should get together to set Objectives Key Results for the next quarter based on the company's strategic narrative. Weekly, they should get together to check progress, identify and solve issues.
When this structure is in place, businesses can create an engaging environment that keeps open lines of communication, keeps everyone focused on goals, and keeps everyone aligned to the bigger purpose. It takes time and effort, but the alternative is much worse. Without this structure, teams lose sight of the big picture, and departments begin working in silos. Team members get frustrated because they can see how things could be done better, but they're not listened to. Meeting regularly is essential for engagement, and engagement is essential for well-being. If businesses aren't meeting regularly, they need to start now using the framework mentioned above. This structure can help prevent lost productivity, engagement, and retention while freeing up great ideas trapped inside frustrated team members who feel that nobody cares about their insights.
In conclusion, planning is a critical factor in workplace well-being and engagement. By focusing on strategic narrative, engaging managers, employee voice, and integrity, businesses can create an environment where everyone thrives. Regular planning meetings, including yearly, quarterly, and weekly check-ins, can keep everyone aligned, focused on goals, and working together. Don't let poor engagement and well-being hurt your business. Start planning now and create a workplace where everyone can thrive. If you need help planning this out, head over to betterhappy.co.uk and request a call with one of the teams who can talk you through the process.
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Mike Jones Better Happy Founder
Mike founded Better Happy in 2018.
He now works with a variety of businesses ranging from small accountancies up to large organisations such as Travelodge on improving employee happiness. Mike's vision and the vision of Better Happy is 'Every employee happy, every business thriving'