The Importance of Well-Being in Companies

In March 2023, it had been three years since the World Health Organization declared a Health Emergency due to the COVID-19 virus. Since then, many changes have taken place in society, families and companies; for example, hygiene habits have improved, we have become closer to technology and remote work has become an available option. In addition, we have heard or read about "well-being" more frequently. Do we really know its meaning and dimension? According to the Royal Spanish Academy, well-being is defined as the set of things necessary to live. According to the 2022 Global Human Capital Trends Report by Deloitte, they determined six dimensions of well-being:

• Spiritual: Experiencing and integrating the meaning and purpose in life;
• Social: Enjoy meaningful and deep relationships;
• Physical: Being physically fit;
• Financial: Having the ability to meet current and future obligations and feel secure;
• Occupational: Feel satisfaction and productivity at work;
• Emotional and Mental: Being able to effectively cope with life situations.

According to the 2019 OECD statistics, the Mexican population spends an average of 2,137 hours a year working, with Mexico being one of the countries with the highest hour worked, in contrast to Canada, where an employee works an annual average of 1,670 hours, 460 hours less than a Mexican worker. For this reason, the commitment of companies to contribute to the well-being of their employees is growing, emphasizing occupational well-being with their workers, a good practice. However, companies can influence other dimensions of well-being to improve and increase the well-being of their staff, because if they feel benefited, it will be reflected in their performance at work and the bottom line. For instance, if the employee and the company work in synergies to promote resilience, to have a work life balance, have an enjoyable and fulfilling career and a good relationship with their colleagues, most certainly the company will notice better performance and productivity during the workday.

One way companies are responding is to assign seven to 15 minutes per working shift to stretching breaks in their workplace targeting areas of the body with increased muscle tension and practicing mindful breathing together. While other companies provide virtual or face-to-face yoga classes to their staff. These practices contribute to the physical and mental well-being of the staff.

Human beings are consciously or unconsciously looking for actions, places, people or experiences that bring them closer to a balanced well-being, and consequently makes them feel happier. 

Learn more at: https://www.oecd.org/centrodemexico/estadisticas/horas-trabajadas.htm, https://www2.deloitte.com/xe/en/pages/human-capital/articles/well-being- heart-employee-experience-social-enterprise.html