Employee Wellness Tips
A healthy team is a productive team. Here are some easy ways to support your staff’s health and wellness:
1. Coming to work sick spreads illness and slows recovery.
- Encourage sick employees to stay home.
- Don’t make employees feel guilty for using sick time.
- Model staying home when you’re unwell.
2. Moving, resting, or stepping outside helps improve focus and mood.
- Support employees taking breaks and lunches.
- Consider giving break reminders and model the desired behaviours.
- Encourage movement such as stretching throughout the day.
3. Respect the right to disconnect to help maintain healthy boundaries.
- Don’t require replies after work hours, on weekends, or during vacations.
- Avoid sending unnecessary emails or texts after work hours.
- Encourage and model resting while away from work.
4. Time away reduces burnout and improves performance.
- Encourage the use of vacation time.
- Make it easy to request and plan time off.
- Plan for coverage to ensure peace of mind while away.
5. Staying connected through the day shows support - not control.
- A simple “How are you doing?” goes a long way.
- Ask if employees need anything to do their job better.
- Listen actively and following up meaningfully
6. Supporting mental health builds a stronger, more resilient team.
- Share resources for counselling or employee assistance programs (EAPs).
- Normalize conversations about stress, anxiety, and burnout.
- Train managers to spot signs of mental health struggles.
7. Creating a positive work environment boosts morale and retention.
- Say thank you, sincerely and often.
- Celebrate small wins and milestones.
- Encourage kindness, collaboration and teamwork.
8. Promoting movement & healthy habits supports physical and mental wellbeing.
- Try walking meetings or standing desks.
- Provide healthy snack options when food is available.
- Share wellness tips or host fun challenges (like step counts or hydration goals).
9. Offering flexibility helps employees balance life and work more effectively.
- Allow staff to shift hours when possible to meet personal needs.
- Support remote or hybrid work when the role allows.
- Consider individual circumstances before setting hard rules
10. Leading by example sets the tone for a healthy workplace.
- Prioritize your own well-being and boundaries.
- Demonstrate a positive attitude and habits to set the tone for your team.
- Show empathy, optimism and balance in your day-to-day leadership.