I recently read a post on LinkedIn by Ms. Clare Kenny   saying that a lot of companies equate benefits to wellbeing and she was saying that it more than that. Wellbeing has to be viewed strategically and employee benefits and perks are just tactics. I am therefore going to be sharing my view on this topic.

Wellbeing is an important aspect of an individual’s overall health and happiness. While many employers offer wellbeing programs as part of their employee benefits package, wellbeing is not solely an employee benefit. I have listed a few reasons as to why that is the case:

1. Wellbeing is a fundamental human need: Wellbeing is a fundamental human need that is essential for individuals to lead happy and fulfilling lives. It is not just a luxury or a perk that employers can offer as a benefit.
2. Wellbeing benefits everyone: Wellbeing is not just important for employees; it benefits everyone, including employers, customers, and society as a whole. When individuals are healthy, happy, and engaged, they are more productive and contribute more positively to their communities.
3. Wellbeing is linked to organizational success: I had in my previous blog shared some of the academic research happening in this area. There is a growing body of research that shows a positive link between employee wellbeing and organizational success. When employees are happy, healthy, they can disengage from their life’s problems and become more engaged at work. That in turn helps them to become more productive, creative, and innovative, which can lead to better business outcomes.
4. Wellbeing is a shared responsibility: While employers can play an important role in supporting employee wellbeing, it is ultimately a shared responsibility between individuals, employers, and society as a whole. By creating a culture of wellbeing that values health and happiness, employers can help promote wellbeing for everyone.
5. Wellbeing as a culture: Create a wellbeing culture helps companies identify wellbeing challenges early on address them. It results in reduced absenteeism and sickness. It also helps enhance a company’s brand reputation and attract customers and partners who value social responsibility.

To conclude, wellbeing is not just an employee benefit, but a fundamental human need that benefits everyone. Employers can play an important role in supporting employee wellbeing, but it is ultimately a shared responsibility that requires a collective effort from individuals, employers, and society as a whole.