Back to Work: Keeping your employees happy after their holiday high 

As summer comes to a close and employees are back in the office full time after well-deserved holidays, it’s important for workplaces to keep up the momentum to prevent burn-out and stress.

Hannah Power, Employee Experience Expert at Reward Gateway | Edenred: “Employee wellbeing is crucial. Our research shows that nearly half of stressed workers say it has negatively impacted their wellbeing (46%) and no longer go above and beyond for their responsibilities (40%). Worse than this, they also report losing trust in their employer (30%) and feel isolated from their colleagues (20%). The success of a business lies in its workforce, and concerted efforts should be made so they stay uplifted even after their summer break.”

Hannah shares her top tips to boost employee wellbeing: 

1. Show consistent appreciation and gratitude 

Our Appreciation Index shows that appreciation employees worked harder, showed more engagement and were more satisfied with their job. Encourage people to start meetings with recognition. Don’t let extra help, commitment or support go unnoticed, and make sure the whole team is there to see it.

2. Focus on social connections 

Fostering a positive work culture comes from focusing on people, which is why it’s also necessary that there are initiatives in place for colleagues to get together, bond and have fun. Make sure there’s a chance for interaction outside of just work chat, especially for wider teams who may not really speak to each other on a regular basis, and that these socials are accessible and welcoming for everyone.

3. Physical wellbeing counts too 

In an office environment it’s easy to slip into bad habits, and down the line, bad health too. Make sure employees and colleagues know how to switch-off after work – and how to make this process easier. Snoozing work notifications, skipping that afternoon caffeinated pick-me-up and having a little walk when and where possible are great ways to give the body a little more well-deserved rest.