We all strive for a work-life balance. We all strive for work-life balance. It’s the ideal we discuss in meetings, and the ideal which looks great on job listings but is difficult to achieve. Yes, companies are aware of this. Companies use words like “mental health day” and “well-being initiative”. Some are genuinely striving for this, while others secretly hope that you will still answer your emails at 10 pm.
Spiritual development could be the key that unlocks paradise. Spirituality in the workplace isn’t about chanting at the breakroom. It’s all about creating a culture at work where people feel fulfilled and connected.
What does spiritual wellness for employees mean? Why should businesses care? How does it affect employee retention? You’ll find the answers below.
What is spiritual wellness, and why should managers care?
Spiritual wellness is a vague and fuzzy sense of inner peace and purpose. Knowing that your life is meaningful.
Employee spiritual wellness does not necessarily mean that employees are religious or have a faith. The goal is to feel connected with your work, values and people around you. A psychic advisor may describe this as aligning yourself with your true path. Employees who experience this feel less like corporate drones, and more like real people.
Why is this important for businesses? People who are happy and fulfilled tend to quit less. They do not burn out as fast. They don’t dream about quitting every Tuesday. They do not quit. They stay. They are engaged.
Work Life Balance: Myths & Reality
Work-life balance is a hot topic in every company. Few people actually understand what it is. Fewer still actively support it. It’s not fair if you boss expects that you are available 24/7. That’s servitude.
An ideal workplace is one that understands employees as more than just their job description. It’s also important that they have a personal life. They’re parents, partners, friends, artists, adventurers. Encouragement of spiritual wellness is about letting employees honor their inner selves.
Spiritual wellness must be integrated into the work-life balance initiatives. Here are some practical ways to achieve it:
- Encourage personal development. Encourage employees to pursue their passions beyond work. As the life path calculation can reveal an individual’s strengths and purposes, allowing employees to explore their passions helps them thrive. Allow them to pursue their side hustles, take classes, or volunteer. When an employee feels supported, they will be more dedicated.
- Encourage mindfulness breaks. Create space for reflection instead of forcing people to attend back-to-back meeting. An employee who looks out of the window can sometimes produce more than an employee who is spinning like a squirrel on a wheel. The former employee has more time to come up with a fresh idea.
- Respect your vacation time. No “urgent” emails after 8 PM. No one should feel guilty about taking a short break.
How Spiritual Wellness Affects Employee Retention
Although spiritual wellness is a nice idea, businesses need to have a reason for caring. Here are some of the reasons why:
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Employees who feel connected stay longer
Money is not everything. Money may be important for a few months but not in the end. People stay for a purpose, meaning and for workplaces where they don’t feel as if their souls are slowly being crushed.
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Reduce Burnout = Fewer Resignations
Employees who work in an environment that promotes spiritual wellness are better able to manage stress, develop resilience and recharge. If someone isn’t physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausted, they are less likely to quit their job out of frustration.
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Higher engagement = increased job satisfaction
When people feel connected and valued in their work, then they are more engaged. They are more creative and want to see the business succeed.
The Power of Purpose to Retain Employees
The office environment must be conducive to retaining employees. A good salary is what brings them in, but it’s not enough. Work becomes a calling when it is tied to values.
Employees are less likely to look for new opportunities if they can see that their efforts have a positive impact on the lives of others or the performance of the company. Employees who are able to see the impact of their efforts on others or on company performance, for example, will be less likely to look elsewhere. This leads to better retention.
Of course, not every job has to be life-changing. A job must be meaningful for an employee who gets up each day to work on his or her tasks for eight hours, if not longer. Leaders can assist in this process by communicating the mission of the company, acknowledging employee contributions, and creating opportunities for meaningful work.
Encourage workers to set professional and personal goals will also increase their engagement. Mentorship and leadership programs can be used to keep employees motivated.
Workers who feel their work is important will show more dedication, creativity and ambition. They invest more than just their time in the company. This is a retention technique that will help you to compete on the market.
How to bring spiritual wellness into the workplace
How can businesses implement spiritual wellbeing? Here are a few ideas.
- Give your employees the power to manage their own time. Allow employees to work when they are most productive, and give them time off when needed.
- Offer guided mediation sessions or pay for mindfulness apps subscriptions.
- Support learning whether or not it is work related. People will stick with a company that encourages their employees to develop beyond their current job title.
- Encourage a culture that is open , in which employees are comfortable sharing their ideas, struggles and spiritual perspectives, if they so choose.
Work is not the Future of Work
Work-life balance is something that companies who understand this strive to achieve not just in words, but in actions. They encourage the 4-day working week, promote extra-curricular activities for workers and are open to new ideas. People want to work with them.
If employers are serious about retention, and they want to retain their best employees, then they must go beyond the surface level of well-being benefits. A free yoga class every year will not fix a toxic workplace culture. Integrating true spiritual wellness, however? This could be a good idea.
