In a world where workplace dynamics continually evolve, fostering a healthy environment has become a cornerstone of employee engagement, productivity, and retention. This sentiment was at the heart of the vibrant panel discussion led by Miss Rupini Raman, Head of Human Capital at Yulu Bikes, at this year's Employee Health-Con organized by Pazcare.
The panellists were as follows: Zeeshan Ramlan - Global VP HR at Clevertap, Sanchit Malik, CEO and Co-Founder at Pazcare, Sourav Mukherji - Dean and Professor – Organization Behaviour at IIM Bangalore.
The session titled "The Role of Leadership in Shaping a Healthy Workplace" brought together industry leaders to share their insights and experiences on cultivating workplace well-being through thoughtful leadership.
Defining a Healthy Workplace: Beyond the Basics
The discussion began with panelists painting their vision of a healthy workplace that transcends physical health to emotional and mental well-being. Sourav, a senior leader with extensive experience in organizational dynamics, started by reframing stress as a double-edged sword: "A healthy workplace, for me, has an optimum amount of stress. A workplace cannot be without stress, but it should be functional, not dysfunctional. Healthy stress is what drives performance, while excessive stress leads to burnout."
He emphasized the importance of social connections among colleagues, even outside work hours, to foster a supportive culture. While workplace disagreements are inevitable, Sourav stressed the value of ending the day as friends, promoting a sense of belonging.
Sanchit Malik further built on this foundation, introducing the idea of a "trust-first" culture.
"Trust is the most important currency. A trust-first culture means that the team operates with integrity and accountability even if your manager is not physically present. This reduces micromanagement and promotes flexibility," said Sanchit.
Zeeshan, struck a chord with the audience by addressing the universal "Sunday night anxiety"—the sinking feeling of many experiences before the workweek begins. He eloquently summarized, "A healthy workplace is one where employees don't dread Monday mornings. It's a place where people feel safe to express their ideas without fear of judgment."
Leadership as a Catalyst for Change
The discussion delved deeper into how leadership and organizational culture shape workplace health. Sourabh underscored the distinction between managers and leaders:
"Managers handle processes, but leaders set the tone for organizational culture. Culture is about standing firm on core values, even during tough times. The leader's responsible for exemplifying those values and ensuring they resonate through every action."
He emphasized that leaders must "walk the talk" when promoting workplace health. For instance, if an organization values fitness, its leaders should visibly participate in fitness challenges, communicate its importance during strategy meetings, and integrate health into recruitment criteria without discrimination.
Adding to this, panelist Sanchit noted: "Leadership isn't just about vision; it's about creating space for employees to bring their whole selves to work. Employees need to feel supported not just as workers, but as individuals."
Sanchit reinforced this, linking employee health to productivity and long-term profitability. He shared: "Healthy employees are productive employees. Investing in well-being isn't just a moral responsibility—it's a business imperative."
Practical Policies for a Healthy Culture
The panelists shared examples of policies and initiatives that have significantly impacted workplace well-being:
- Holistic Wellness Programs: Zeeshan shared insights on some wellness initiative that he has taken at CleverTap. Such as a "Fitness Challenge" program where employees—including senior leaders—competed in team-based health initiatives, from step challenges to healthy eating competitions. These initiatives created camaraderie and set a visible example of prioritizing health.
- Life Milestone Benefits: Panelists also discussed how organizations like CoinSwitch cater to employee life events with thoughtful benefits—ranging from maternity/paternity packages to financial assistance during family crises. Such gestures leave lasting impressions on employees, fostering loyalty.
- Family-Centric Engagement: A recurring theme was the role of families in an employee's decision to stay with an organization. Panelists suggested involving families in engagement initiatives, such as personalized thank-you notes during the pandemic or benefits like pet insurance and child education sponsorships.
- Flexible Wellness Options: Recognizing that one size does not fit all, several companies now offer flexible wellness benefits. Employees can choose from counseling services, gym memberships, or even desk yoga sessions. Similar to what Pazcare is offering with the FLEX platform.
The Remote Work Challenge
An audience question brought up a critical point: How can organizations ensure health and engagement in a remote work environment?
The panelists acknowledged the unique challenges of remote setups, where employees often juggle work with family obligations. They proposed mandatory health check-ups and regular one-on-one conversations focused on well-being rather than work. Another panelist shared an initiative where leaders conducted virtual "wellness check-ins" to discuss sleep patterns, physical activity, and mental health.
The discussion was summed up perfectly:
"In remote work, it's not about micromanaging but creating touchpoints where employees feel heard and supported. Leadership needs to embrace flexibility while reinforcing a culture of accountability."
The ROI of Employee Health
The panel concluded with a powerful argument for prioritizing employee health. Sanchit shared an intriguing perspective:
"Employee health is an input metric for organizational productivity. Happy, healthy employees are naturally more productive. Organizations need to shift their mindset from viewing health as an expense to seeing it as an investment."
Final Takeaways
The discussion left the audience with actionable insights and a renewed commitment to fostering healthier workplaces:
- Leadership is pivotal in shaping a culture of well-being. Leaders must set examples and integrate health into the organization's DNA.
- A holistic approach to health—including mental, emotional, and physical wellness—yields the best results.
- Trust and flexibility are non-negotiable in creating a psychologically safe workplace.
- Engagement shouldn't stop at employees—it should extend to their families, recognizing the broader ecosystem that influences their lives.
- Remote work demands innovative approaches to ensure employees feel connected, supported, and healthy.
As Rupini Raman aptly summarized at the end:
"A healthy workplace isn't just good for employees—it's good for business. When leaders prioritize health, they unlock potential, creativity, and commitment that drive organizational success."
The conversation at Employee Health-Con 2024 set a clear precedent: The future of work demands leaders who champion health—not as an afterthought, but as an integral part of their vision.
If you wish to make your workplace healthier, contact us now.
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