Four things every Facilities Manager needs to know about workplace wellbeing.

Workplace wellbeing isn’t a straightforward topic, made even more complicated as employees recover from the chaos caused by the pandemic. Express Refreshments explores the findings from Noam Sagi, a Psychotherapist and Change Facilitator, who tried to help Facilities Managers organise their priorities when it comes to employee wellness at work.

Sagi says that Facilities Managers are some of the most important figures in creating a healthier workplace culture, and that the Covid-19 pandemic has drastically changed what employees need to be more productive at work.

Here are the four key findings.

1. Provide a sense of belonging at work.

The last 12-18 months have seen most employees begin working from home, and then settling into this new, comfortable routine. Expecting them to go back to office life without fear or concern is unrealistic and as such flexible working has been adopted for lots of businesses.

As we take on this new way of working, the sense of belonging at work can become somewhat hazy for employees. Whether staff are working at home or back in their natural working environment, you need to show that they are a valuable team member who has a key role to play for the company.

We need to recognise that all humans are individuals and will react differently to different things. Facilities Managers need to understand their team and offer employee benefits that will closely relate to their needs.

2. Understand emotion.

Whilst humans are individual, we are all the same when it comes to emotion. Whatever stems our emotional system, we all have something that triggers fear, distress and upset and you may find that this is more obvious in a post-Covid world as employees head back to the office.

Generally speaking, we react badly to fear and stress, so if we feel safe and at ease then we are more likely to be happier and more creative at work. As we mentioned above, it is unrealistic to expect employees to head back to their normal working environment and carry on like nothing has changed, because it has.

As a Facilities Manager, it is important that you embrace this kind of emotion. It is equally important that you don’t ignore or underestimate it. More and more organisations understand that workplace wellbeing is largely centred around conversation, so you need to create an environment where you answer their emotional needs.

3. Make sure employees feel valued.

In addition to the need to feel like they belong in an organisation, employees also like to feel they are valued and that the job they are doing is recognised. There is an outdated idea that the higher you go in the work pyramid the more isolated you feel, but human emotion doesn’t consider job title or reputation.

The best way to create a harmonious atmosphere is to try and reduce a hierarchical structure as much as you can. More workplaces are recognising that structure isn’t as important as what it used to be, whilst acknowledging that certain levels of authority can remain providing it is implemented properly.

Encourage employees to engage more with others, helping them to feel more comfortable around those they would otherwise be anxious to approach. You could do this by implementing breakout areas, or by transforming unused space into somewhere quiet where your team can head for a coffee.

4. Remember the unique position of FM.

A key part of any FM’s role is the wellbeing of the workforce, so it is time to shift this back to the forefront of your mind and give it the attention it deserves. A simple change in your mentality can open a lot of doors for a better workplace that houses a more productive team.

You are in a unique position in that you have a direct responsibility for the workforce and any wellbeing initiatives you implement. Don’t waste this valuable opportunity by being half-interested. Embrace it and make a real impact on employee wellbeing and productivity.

You can liaise with other departments including HR to initiate some meaningful ideas. And of course, remember to communicate with those you’re changes will impact: the workforce.