By Mariana Vaz – Swood Team
Our career is a significant part of our lives and, as such, it is an aspect from which we seek to get the best experience possible, whether because of the time it occupies or because it is simply through it that many of us will achieve life goals.
For some years now, the Human Resources Department has been responsible for much more than processing salaries, controlling holidays, etc. The main mission of HR today should essentially be to create a healthy working environment, in which everyone can grow and contribute to the same end. It is fundamental that companies understand that without people, there is no business. Each organization is primarily made by its employees, by their commitment and motivation. It is therefore clear the relevance of valuing workers and promoting a good working environment for all!
It’s nothing new that all employees are different people with varying needs and so contributing to everyone’s quality of life will always be a different task, but there are some common points. Investing in ergonomic and comfortable equipment will make all employees stop being desperate to get up and get out of their seats and will increase their productivity, for example. Now, investments in quality of life, people management, benefits, valuing professional teams and adapting ergonomics in work spaces promote benefits for all. It is up to HR to evaluate the performance conditions and the level of satisfaction of employees in order to implement the necessary improvements for the promotion of quality of life in the work environment.
Quality of life at work involves several factors such as motivation, growth expectations, productivity, team relationship, health, safety and well-being and is directly linked to business success.
An essential step is to respect each person’s limits, not overloading them with work in the hope of increasing their productivity. When an employee feels overloaded, each task will seem 10 times harder than it really is, which is not good for productivity and all this will bring other problems such as stress, which in itself will bring a few more. The perception that mental health is crucial for a good employee to be able to dedicate himself fully is still recent and not taken seriously enough in some companies. They continue to offer benefits such as traditional health insurance without considering adding others such as team activities like yoga or mindfulness sessions.
In relation to expectations for growth and relationships between teams, honesty needs to be maintained. This is important for delivering valuable feedback on employees’ performance, keeping them up to date on their progress and performance, and also for creating genuine relationships between colleagues. A company that offers more opportunities for career advancement will be more likely to retain employees, as they will feel they grow with it. The dynamization of activities and meetings between employees will not only improve the relationships between teams, but will also contribute to the motivation and satisfaction of employees, who will find it easier to feel part of something, instead of an individual who acts alone within his/her functions.
It should also be noted that the pandemic has highlighted the importance of employees feeling safe in their workspace. Ensuring measures such as distance between desks and the division of lunch hours by shifts brings peace of mind to employees, leaves them free from concerns about their safety and full to devote themselves to their duties.
Finally, we cannot forget that adequate and fair remuneration is also a way to provide security, as freedom and financial independence brings quality of life, and if the other aspects of an employee’s life bring satisfaction, it will be much easier to have a dedicated employee!