Did you know that the structure of your working hours has a huge influence on your well-being and productivity? Several studies have shown that employees who have shorter working days are on average more productive, that those who take more regular holidays are happier and work better, and that those who are able to do home office to better manage their work/life balance are more fulfilled.
Allowing employees, where the role allows, to manage their time in a different way, including more flexible working hours, may be part of the solution.
Today, the lunch break is neglected by many employees: the average lunch break time has dropped from 1.5 hours in 1990 to 20 minutes today. Many employees now prefer to eat a sandwich, and even worse, in front of the computer!
The lunch break is an essential part of the working day. Physically, a good, balanced lunch is a way of giving yourself the nutrients (and therefore the energy) needed to work properly. Psychologically, taking a real break allows you to rest your brain and body so that you can be productive again in the afternoon. Finally, the lunch break is also the ideal time to discuss and exchange views with colleagues on subjects that are not work-related.
Here are some tips to avoid this drift:
- Plan at least 1 or 2 days in the week for real lunch breaks with colleagues
- Take advantage of the lunch break to decompress (go out for lunch in the sun, walk for 10 minutes…)
The atmosphere at work is a fundamental criterion for many employees. According to a BVA survey, 46% of employees think that management does not attach enough importance to the quality of the atmosphere at work, and 43% say that their company does not organise team-building events such as seminars, team buildings, parties or evening events.
- Even organise a small event outside of work with your colleagues (an escape game, cooking workshops, a sports event or an activity related to your business)
- Offer regular afterwork sessions with colleagues
- Organise evenings with colleagues for events (e.g. company or staff birthdays)
Another way to improve well-being at work is to play sports with colleagues.
If practising a sporting activity is beneficial to health, productivity, good mood and general well-being, practising sport with colleagues has other virtues: it welds teams together, creates real cohesion and cooperation and helps build mutual trust between employees…
If you are not particularly sporty, you should know that a simple walk can already have beneficial effects on your metabolism, your mood, and your relations with your colleagues.
