Is your workplace 'wellness washing'? Here's how to tell

Meditation doesn't negate micromanagement

A huge part of people’s wellness at work comes from autonomy, clarity and empowerment. Image: Getty

It turns out that a monthly lunchtime yoga class and weekly fruit delivery don’t necessarily equate to healthy workplace culture and happy employees.

If your workplace offers yoga, lunchtime meditation, a nap room or a free basket of fruit, it certainly might appear they care about you and your health. But, despite many companies now offering programs that claim to look after your wellness, in reality, there’s a disconnect.

Fifty-six per cent of Australian companies offer corporate wellness programs, yet more than 62 per cent of us are experiencing burnout at work – higher than any other country in the world, according to a study by Microsoft. Our national exhaustion levels are getting so dire, that a third of workers between the ages of 25 and 55 have considered quitting their jobs, confirms the 2023 State of the Future of Work report.

It looks like ‘wellbeing washing’ (aka appearing to care) is alive and kicking. “Wellness at work should be holistic,” says HR consultant, Hayley McLennan. “It should look at someone’s physical, mental and social state.” In other words, if yoga or a fruit bowl aren’t underpinned by meaningful gestures, they’re just superficial offerings that don’t affect overall health.

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While wellness programs are now de rigueur in many organisations, fundamental aspects of health need to be addressed before ‘extras’ (ahem, free fruit) come into play, according to McLennan. “A decent salary, generous parental leave, good holiday allowance, sick pay and flexibility all play a huge part in helping employees,” she says. “These things actually make a difference to people’s stress levels, their ability to function in all areas of their lives, and their overall wellbeing.”

“Day to day, a huge part of people’s wellness at work comes from autonomy, clarity and empowerment,” adds mental health expert, Mark Butler. “This can often be a bigger issue than excessive work. Many employees find that if they can’t get clarification on what’s required of them, or they’re being micromanaged, this has a big impact on their wellbeing.” Community is also a huge part of ensuring employee health. “Connection and engagement is essential to the wellbeing of staff,” says Butler. “If they don’t feel part of a community, perhaps because they aren’t empowered or their role isn’t clearly defined, they can become detached. This can be infectious; if one employee is disengaged, they often try to recruit other people, which can affect the healthy culture of a whole team.”

Wellness at work should be holistic for employees to feel valued and productive. Image: Pexels

Not all large companies are wellbeing washing. McLennan cites Swisse as a company who “talk the talk” when it comes to investing in staff wellness. “They continue to commit – and that’s important for wellbeing strategy,” she says. “Companies should be constantly reviewing and making tweaks. Ask your teams what’s working well, and what can be done better.”

Putting the time and effort into making staff feel cared for is undoubtedly beneficial. Content employees can be up to 20 per cent more productive, according to one study. “When staff are happy and healthy, their focus is on their work, not dealing with the stress of a badly run office,” says McLennan. “Well-looked-after employees show tangible improvements such as increased connection, collaboration, communication and focus. All these things ultimately lead to revenue.”

A good attitude towards wellness at work can start small. “The investment doesn’t have to be a high dollar value,” adds McLennan. “It can be really simple, particularly around the mental health side of things. Check in with your team, and ask: ‘How can I support you? What’s happening in your world?’ That sort of genuine care is free, and a great place to start.”

If you’re in a workplace that doesn’t actively promote wellness, all is not lost. There are proactive measures you can put in place to look after your own wellbeing. “Lots of companies have employee assistance programs that you can access for confidential support,” says Butler. “And remember, boundaries are a two-way street, whether that’s not responding to emails after a certain time or taking a walk during your lunch break.”

It’s always worth talking to your leaders about how you’re feeling, as well. “You can draw a big, red line between any KPI and the mental and physical wellbeing of your people,” says Butler. “Done right, wellness makes good business sense.”

Originally published as Is your workplace 'wellness washing'? Here's how to tell