Some of the easiest ways to improve employee well-being at work are to give employees more flexibility, encourage movement, create comfortable workspaces, support healthy eating and hydration, recognize good work, and listen to employee feedback. Many of these changes cost very little to introduce.
Might you also want to introduce a role like a Happiness Manager? Well, here are 10 useful ideas below.
What is employee well-being at work?
Employee wellbeing is all about the overall happiness, wellness, and satisfaction of an employee at work. Furthermore, it is also about the employee’s work-life balance given that issues and problems an employee has outside of work can impact them also in their work.
Companies these days that place a high level of importance on employee wellbeing try to help with the work-life balance including through schemes such as flexible hours, a clear hybrid working policy that supports both remote and in-office staff, and through building an inclusive workplace.
Dr Valeria Lo Iacono (2024)
Why does employee well-being matter for companies?
Employee well-being is important on a couple of levels.
First, as a company or as a manager of a team, we have a duty of care to our employees, both legally, ethically, and morally speaking.
Second, supporting employee well-being benefits not only employees but also the company through improved productivity, lower staff turnover, and a better workplace for everyone involved, including you as a manager or business owner.
Furthermore, this also helps ensure you’re aligning with best practices in occupational health and meeting legal and ethical standards of employee care.
How is employee engagement different from well-being?
Employee Wellbeing vs Employee Engagement
Employee well-being and engagement are often confused, so let me briefly explain the difference between the two. There is a lot of crossover between the two in that to improve employee well-being, we inevitably want the employee to feel engaged, i.e., to enjoy their work and to feel motivated and happy.
Employee engagement is about the employee being motivated and feeling committed to their work and company.
Employee well-being, on the other hand, is more concerned with their mental and physical well-being and that they are leading a healthy balance in their work (and outside of work).
How can we improve employee well-being quickly (on a budget)?
1. Add plant life to the workplace
What are the benefits of adding office plants?
Plants help lower employees’ stress, can help lift their mood, and, with the right plants, can improve air quality. Adding greenery can also improve the general look of a workspace and boost employees’ sense of calm and focus.
The great news is that plants are relatively inexpensive, making them a cost-effective way to support employee well-being.
- Research on indoor plants in office settings has found improvements in workspace satisfaction and some health-related complaints, although the effects can vary depending on what is being measured.
- A reduction in employee absences was highlighted in other studies as a result of having plants in the workplace.
- Plants can also help to filter the air and to help create a healthier workplace in a very direct way.
See our more detailed post on plant life for the office.
2. Encourage Movement During the Workday
How does movement improve employee well-being?
Regular movement breaks help reduce stiffness, refresh your employees’ attention span, and can help improve energy. Even short stretch sessions or walking meetings can make employees feel more alert and productive.
Encouraging staff to go for a short walk during breaks or at lunchtime, or even starting a jogging club, can be helpful (depending on your facilities and location).
Activities such as yoga, tai chi, and Pilates can also be a great option for staff because:
- It is an activity that anyone can do, regardless of shape, size, or age
- Requires very limited equipment or set-up time
- Can greatly enhance employees’ well-being and make them much more relaxed
- Creates camaraderie for those taking part
If you already have an available room that can be used, the only real cost you will incur is the cost of hiring a teacher for the sessions.
Alternatively, if you have a member of staff who is experienced and qualified in teaching yoga, then you might even want to consider offering them the chance to teach as part of their work hours.
3. Create breakout areas for relaxation
Why do relaxation spaces matter at work?
A quiet corner or breakout area lets employees recharge, step away from their computer screen, and manage stress before it builds up. Providing these breakout areas signals to employees that rest and recovery are valued.
Also, pay attention to the use of color, because it can be a fairly simple way to further improve employee well-being.
Using color in your office design can really make a significant difference, and yet surprisingly few offices are designed to fully take advantage of color. Different colors provide different benefits, including:
- Yellow, which is a warm, friendly, and cheerful color
- Blue is useful for projecting confidence and stability
4. Provide ergonomic workstations
How do ergonomic workstations boost well-being?
A proper desk, chair, and screen setup helps prevent strain and fatigue. Furthermore, a comfortable workstation helps employees stay focused and reduces aches that lead to distraction.
OSHA also recommends paying attention to regularly adjusting chairs, desks, monitors, and other workstations to reduce awkward postures and improve comfort.
Even if any of your employees work from home, you can still provide guidance and recommendations on best work practices that include how to set up an ergonomic workstation.
5. Offer flexible and hybrid working options
How can flexible and hybrid work support employee well-being?
Allowing employees to manage their hours or work partly from home cuts commuting stress and improves work–life balance. It also shows trust, which increases employee engagement.
As a company, you can also begin to:
- Reduce the workspace you need (for staff who only pop in now and again, you can use hot desking)
- Save on power bills
- Save on office equipment costs
For the employees, you can help them, in essence, to:
- Reduce commuting time
- Save them extra money from saved fuel and other travel costs
- Make them feel more trusted (and this can be great for gaining more loyal staff)
In terms of wellness and well-being, the flexibility and reduction in things such as being involved in rush-hour madness, traffic jams, and other stressful moments trying to physically get to work are achieved.
Such policies also reduce the risk of employee burnout by helping staff manage stress and avoid chronic overwork.
Do you really need all staff to be available in the office all of the time? The answer most often is no!
For additional well-being strategies for remote employees, explore ways to support home-based staff more effectively.
6. Proactively ask employees for feedback
How should we collect employee well-being feedback?
Use quick pulse surveys, suggestion boxes, or open team check-ins. Acting on the feedback shows you listen and builds a culture of psychological safety.
Relatively few companies have a process in place whereby staff are actively asked or given the opportunity to give feedback on a regular basis, especially when it comes to wellness and wellbeing.
Employees often have very creative, interesting, and useful solutions and ideas that will help you as a company, yet these ideas are very often ignored, i.e., not solicited.
There are a few key ways in which I recommend seeking feedback, and these are:
- Anonymously via an Ideas Box – an ‘Ideas Box’ can be the easiest way to do this. This gives staff the chance to write down ideas and to post them in an ideas box.
- Employee feedback at meetings – It can also be a good idea to ask each employee to bring one idea with them to a monthly team meeting.
- Brainstorming Sessions – Holding a brainstorming session once a month is also an option worth considering.
- Speak with your team to see what you can be doing better as an organization to enhance work-life balance (as it will mean something different for each employee).
These ideas can be about anything relating to work, including, for example, if something needs fixing, a better process for working, ways to improve employee wellness, well-being, diversity, and equality, and anything that the employee wants to suggest.
Emotional intelligence is important here in that you want to develop a workplace environment in which employees feel safe to openly give their ideas without any fear of ridicule or any negative result.
You want to create a positive workplace that breathes creativity and openness.
Tip: Remember that this is as much about what the company can do to support the staff as it is about how the company can benefit.
7. Promote healthy eating and hydration
What role does nutrition play in workplace well-being?
Easy access to water, fruit, or balanced snacks supports focus and steady energy levels. It also reminds staff that health is part of the work culture.
You might also want to run an annual wellness day. You could include free:
- 15-minute back massages for employees
- The chance to taste and test various healthy juices
- Provide free yoga and Pilates classes to try
- Showcase ergonomic products (have a company provide this for free in exchange for them to have a free chance to promote their products)
- Pet area and social
- Nutritional and healthy eating workshop/s
- Painting and art workshops
- Meditation workshop
Employees tend to respond positively to having the opportunity to easily learn and experience various wellness-related activities.
8. Train managers to support employee well-being
How can managers support employee well-being?
Managers who know how to communicate with empathy, handle conflict early, and recognize burnout keep teams healthier. Our ready-made Well-Being Training Materials help you build those skills quickly.
Certainly, one way for a human resources department or business owner to tackle this issue is to provide more or better management training.
Good topics to provide training on for managers, to increase their ability to provide a better and safer workplace for their staff, include:
- Stress Management
- Self-confidence building
- Inclusive Leadership
- Mental health awareness and mental health first aid in the workplace
You might also find these growth mindset activities for adults helpful for encouraging personal development and resilience in the workplace.
9. Recognize and celebrate achievements
How does recognition improve well-being?
Genuine praise and small celebrations build connection and motivation. When people feel valued, morale and resilience naturally increase.
Whether it is team meetings or on a casual daily basis, make sure to use small but powerful thank-yous and positive feedback to drive team motivation and engagement.
10. Encourage positive daily habits and digital balance
How can digital boundaries support employee well-being?
Agreed-upon ‘switch-off’ times and phone-free breaks help staff rest mentally and reduce stress. Encouraging good digital habits models respect for personal time.
You can learn more about effective digital wellness strategies here.
While it might not be practical in every job type, I recommend trying to instill positive work practices such as:
- Staff leaving work on time and not feeling under any pressure to work late (and encouraging managers to set the example by not always staying late or working on weekends)
- Encouraging staff to take the stairs when possible for better health (simple signage on the floor with a bright red arrow pointing to the stairs can significantly increase the number of people who use the stairs)
- Recommend that staff leave their desk at lunchtime and do not eat at their desk. Try to find ways to positively impact your staff to want to go for a walk outdoors at lunchtime, or at least to leave their desk.
Set up fitness and wellness programs in consultation with your team to assess what their preferences are. These ideas are all helpful in the attempt to improve employee well-being in the workplace.
Read about 12 mindfulness exercises you can teach employees to use.
Teaching Workplace Wellness
Looking for more ideas? Browse our full collection of Workplace Wellness Guides.
There are, of course, sometimes exceptions, such as if you are working in the events industry and need to work weekends and various hours, but if practical, then digital detox hours are worth considering.
Employee well-being priorities also continue to evolve, so you may find it useful to explore the latest workplace wellness trends for 2026.
Ready-to-Use Wellness Training Materials
Looking to implement these well-being strategies? Save hours with our professionally designed employee well-being training materials — perfect for HR, L&D, and workplace trainers.
Workplace Wellness FAQs
How can I improve employee well-being on a budget?
Not all workplace initiatives cost much money, and they can still be effective if you show that you care as a company for your employees. Cost-effective initiatives such as buying lots of plants for the office, offering flexible work hours, and improving gratitude giving are three inexpensive ways to get started.
What are some quick workplace wellbeing ideas for small teams?
In addition to using plant life (introducing plants), ensuring you have openness in terms of feedback in and for the team, and perhaps introducing a lunchtime walking group are some ideas. The key is to train managers to create a sense of psychological safety and inclusion in the team so everyone feels connected and comfortable.
How do I introduce employee well-being initiatives without having to involve HR?
As a manager, you can do many things that are free and easy to introduce. This includes using gratitude giving, whereby a clear effort is made to ensure staff are regularly thanked for successes (no matter how small, as they add up). Having an open-door policy where your team feels able to easily approach and talk to you can also be helpful.
