Workplace wellbeing? Pfft. Who needs it?
Why spend time and resources on something so… non-essential? Employees are just here to work, not to feel ‘happy’ or ‘supported,’ right? Let’s explore why ignoring wellbeing might be the best (read: worst) decision you could ever make.
Picture this: A company decides wellbeing is a waste of money.
They eliminate mental health programmes, ignore stress-related absences, and create a culture where people are afraid to admit they’re struggling. The result? Sky-high turnover, decreased productivity, and a reputation so bad that even job boards refuse to list their vacancies. But hey, at least they saved a few quid on fruit baskets.
A real-world cautionary tale:
In 2023, a global survey revealed that organisations neglecting wellbeing saw a 25% higher attrition rate and a 30% drop in employee satisfaction. Yet, those who invested saw higher engagement, productivity, and even profits. Funny how that works, isn’t it?
How can we (sarcastically) embrace the anti-wellbeing approach?
- Ignore Stress: Why address the root causes of stress when you can just tell your team to ‘toughen up’? That always works.
- Punish Burnout: Rather than offering support, just remind burnt-out employees how lucky they are to have a job. Gratitude cures exhaustion, right?
- Skip the Feedback: Employee surveys and listening sessions? Waste of time. It’s not like understanding your team’s needs could lead to better results or anything.
- Make Work-Life Balance a Myth: Encourage working late, responding to emails at midnight, and glorify ‘grind culture.’ Because who needs sleep or family time?
- Celebrate High Turnover: Nothing says ‘great leadership’ like constant recruitment costs and losing institutional knowledge.
Why this logic doesn’t work:
In all seriousness, investing in wellbeing isn’t just a ‘nice to have’—it’s a critical business strategy. Employees are the backbone of every organisation, and when they thrive, so does the business. It’s not just about being kind; it’s about being smart.
Let’s talk…
What’s the most counterproductive thing you’ve seen a workplace do in the name of cutting costs? Or, what’s the best example of wellbeing done right? Share your thoughts below, and let’s celebrate the power of doing the opposite of Opposite Day!
#OppositeDay #Wellbeing #Leadership #WorkplaceWellbeing #EmployeeEngagement #Stress #MentalHealth #PsychologicalSafety #MondayMotivation
