Why Employee Wellbeing is the New ROI
Investing in employee wellbeing improves retention, engagement, and productivity. Discover practical strategies and see how productivity and attendance monitoring software helps you make a lasting impact.
In this article, we’re going to discuss:
- How investing in employee health reduces turnover and boosts loyalty.
- The link between health-focused initiatives and higher productivity.
- Practical steps to prevent burnout and improve work-life balance.
- How to use employee work monitoring software to track engagement and measure the impact of your wellbeing efforts.
Burnout is costing you more than you think—disengaged employees, higher turnover, and declining morale. Wellbeing isn’t optional anymore; it’s the key to keeping your team motivated and committed.
Companies that invest in wellbeing see better retention, higher performance, and lower costs.
In this article, we’ll show how focusing on wellbeing can transform retention and drive results. With remote workforce management tools, you can catch early signs of burnout and act fast.
Why Wellbeing is the New ROI
Prioritizing employee wellbeing is a must for businesses that want to thrive.
Here’s why investing in wellbeing pays off:
- Burnout Leads to Turnover: Overworked employees are far more likely to disengage and eventually leave. Burnout has become one of the top reasons behind quiet quitting and voluntary turnover, creating costly challenges for businesses.
- Wellbeing Boosts Engagement: Employees who feel mentally and physically supported are more engaged, loyal, and productive. Companies with strong wellbeing programs report lower absenteeism and higher morale, fueling better performance.
- Financial Benefits of Wellbeing Investments: Wellbeing initiatives improve employee health and save businesses money. Investing in wellbeing drives measurable financial results by reducing turnover costs, lowering healthcare expenses, and improving productivity.
4 Strategies to Prioritize Employee Wellbeing
Taking care of your team isn’t just about perks—it’s about creating policies that make their lives easier and reduce stress.
A productivity monitoring tool can give you the insights to track how well these initiatives are working, so you can adjust as needed.
So, how can you foster better employee wellbeing in your teams?
1. Offer Flexible Work Options
Flexibility is one of the top things employees value right now. It’s no surprise that flexible work is one of the most effective ways to support wellbeing, and 67% of employers now offer flexible work policies to help employees manage their personal and professional lives.
Letting your team adjust their schedules or work in hybrid setups gives them the breathing room to handle personal responsibilities without sacrificing their jobs.
How to Make Flexibility Work:
- Custom Schedules: Give employees the option to shift their hours slightly to accommodate things like school drop-offs or appointments.
- Hybrid Models: Allow team members to split their time between home and the office. For example, you could let employees work remotely three days a week and come in for collaboration days.
- Gather Feedback: Regularly ask employees how flexible policies are impacting their workload and stress levels. Are they truly helpful, or creating new challenges?
With an employee time tracking app like Insightful, you can track how employees perform in different settings—whether at home, in the office, or somewhere in between. For example, if remote workers consistently hit their productivity goals, you’ll know hybrid policies are working.
Insightful’s remote employee time clock also flags signs of overwork, like long hours or skipped breaks, so you can adjust workloads and ensure flexibility doesn’t turn into exhaustion.
2. Create Holistic Wellness Programs
Wellness isn’t just about gym memberships anymore—it’s about supporting employees’ mental, physical, and emotional health. Companies that invest in comprehensive wellness programs see higher engagement, improved morale, and better retention.
In fact, organizations that provide mental health support report significantly higher employee loyalty and satisfaction.
How to Build a Holistic Wellness Program:
- Offer Mental Health Resources: Provide access to therapy, counseling, or mental health apps to help employees manage stress and anxiety.
- Introduce Wellness Stipends: Allow employees to use stipends for things that support their well-being, like gym memberships, fitness classes, or mindfulness apps.
- Provide Stress Management Training: Offer workshops or training sessions that teach practical techniques for reducing workplace stress.
- Encourage Work-Life Balance: Promote regular breaks and vacation use to ensure employees recharge fully.
With monitoring software for remote employees, you can track productivity trends to gauge whether wellness programs are making a difference. For instance, if teams show improved engagement and consistent productivity after implementing mental health initiatives, you know you’re on the right track.
Additionally, it can help you spot patterns of overwork or declining performance, so you can fine-tune your wellness offerings to meet employee needs more effectively.
3. Prevent Overwork with Workload Balancing
It’s hard to stay motivated when you’re constantly overwhelmed. When employees are stretched too thin, burnout is almost guaranteed, and that can lead to disengagement and, eventually, turnover.
Taking the time to review workloads regularly and make adjustments can go a long way in keeping your team energized and focused.
How to Balance Workloads Effectively:
- Check in Regularly: Review workloads across your team to spot who’s taking on too much.
- Prioritize Tasks: Work with your team to figure out what’s urgent and what can be delegated or put on hold.
- Encourage Open Communication: Make sure employees feel comfortable letting you know when they’re overloaded.
- Distribute Work Fairly: Share tasks across the team to make sure everyone has a manageable amount on their plate.
With workforce monitoring tools, you can see real-time data on workload distribution, helping you spot employees who are consistently overloaded or putting in extra hours. This allows you to shift tasks where needed and prevent burnout before it starts.
It also tracks trends over time, giving you the insights to make smarter decisions about balancing workloads.
4. Recognize & Reward Employees
Employees want to feel valued—it’s that simple. When their hard work is acknowledged, it boosts morale, keeps them motivated, and strengthens their commitment to your company. Recognition is a proven way to increase satisfaction, engagement, and retention.
How to Recognize and Reward Effectively:
- Celebrate Wins: Highlight both big accomplishments and small everyday contributions, like meeting a deadline or supporting a teammate.
- Make It Personal: Customize how you recognize employees, whether it’s a shoutout during a meeting, a thoughtful message, or a perk they’ll actually appreciate.
- Encourage Team Recognition: Let employees recognize each other—it builds camaraderie and reinforces a positive work culture.
- Offer Meaningful Rewards: Go beyond generic rewards. Offer things like an extra day off, small bonuses, or career development opportunities that show you truly value their effort.
Workforce monitoring tools help you pinpoint top contributors by analyzing productivity and task completion trends. This ensures recognition is meaningful because it’s based on actual impact. The tools also highlights team collaboration patterns, so you can see who’s going above and beyond, making it easier to give credit where it’s due.
How Wellbeing Impacts Retention
When you prioritize your employees’ wellbeing, it does more than just create a healthier team—it helps your business thrive. Here’s how focusing on wellbeing makes a real impact:
- Builds Loyalty and Trust: Employees are much more likely to stay when they feel their company truly cares about their health and happiness. Wellbeing initiatives show your team they’re valued and create a stronger sense of trust and belonging.
- Reduces Absenteeism and Boosts Productivity: When employees are healthy and supported, they show up more consistently and perform better. Fewer sick days and more engaged workdays mean everyone benefits.
- Strengthens Employer Branding: Companies that take care of their employees stand out. When your team feels supported, they’re more likely to recommend your organization to others, helping you attract great talent and keep the ones you already have.
Prioritize Wellbeing, Retain Top Talent
Investing in your employees’ mental and physical health is a smart business move that boosts retention and delivers measurable ROI. Start implementing wellbeing strategies today to keep your team engaged and loyal.
Try Insightful 's time monitoring app with a 7-day risk-free trial and see how data-driven insights can enhance your retention strategies.