Written by: Katina Smith, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Employees influence the workplace. Often when we talk about employee well-being, the focus is on the leaders of an organization and how they influence the culture. However, there is an important role that employees play in the workplace that can affect their well-being. Employees can also have an impact on the workplace culture and overall work environment.
It is a matter of asking yourself how you want to show up in the workplace. Do you want to go to work daily and complain about the situation or do what you can to positively influence your peers and managers? It is so easy to get caught up and start complaining about your job, but it will never change the situation.
What You Can Do
The first step is realizing that you don’t control people, but you can control how you respond and what you speak. For example, if one of your peers comes to you complaining about a manager or another employee, you could ask them what steps they have taken to try and rectify the situation. If their response is nothing, then this is an opportunity to encourage them to sit down and talk with their manager or peer. Sometimes there may be a misunderstanding about what’s going on. If they have attempted to address the issue and nothing has changed, it may be time to involve others such as the person’s manager or human resources. Ignoring the problem will not make it disappear, so it’s better to address it head-on.
If you are personally having a challenge with a manager, it’s important to talk with them. Sometimes you just may have to be the initiator and let your manager know how a situation is impacting you. You can work together to come up with a resolution.
For example, I had a new manager that was not communicating with me so often I was not aware of tasks that needed to be completed and her overall expectations. I decided to schedule a meeting with the manager and shared:
What I needed to be successful in my job
What was important to me, and how she could support me.
My working style (very tasked oriented and can work well independently or on a team)
She was very understanding and from that point on I never had any major issues with getting my work done and being successful in my job. If I had not taken the initiative, I would be dealing with the same frustration. In this particular case, I was looking out for my well-being. Instead of staying frustrated about the situation, I was more focused on a solution than the problem.
What’s Important to You?
Sometimes a work environment can be very challenging and it’s important to decide if a workplace is right for you. The work environment is influenced by the culture which is all about how people behave, interact, and what is deemed acceptable within the organization. It’s important to ask yourself if your values align with the organization and its mission, vision, and values. If they do not align with what’s important to you, it may be time to move on and find an organization where you can thrive and use your gifts and talents to make a difference.
Tips On Deciding if an Organization is Right for You
Some things you may want to consider when deciding if working for a particular organization is right for you include:
Career Growth – Are there opportunities to take training that will advance your career or to develop a new skill set through cross-training?
Flexibility – Determine if the working hours and days are flexible or if there are remote or hybrid work schedules. Many companies now have more flexible work schedules.
Mental health support – Many Employee Assistant Programs (EAP) include mental health support as a part of their services.
Tuition reimbursement – Ask if the organization pays a portion or 100 percent toward your education. Often it has to be related to your career or in line with the company’s positions.
Health activities & discounts – Many companies will offer discounts such as gym memberships or have health challenges, etc. during the year.
Health benefits (medical, dental, vision) – Most companies offer basic medical coverage, but be sure you are clear on the types of plans available.
Leave – Consider the type of leave options available (sick, annual, maternity, and bereavement e.g.).
Work-life balance/harmony – Often this is a term that is stated on paper, so you want to be clear on how the organization ensures there is work-life/balance.
Wellness programs – There are so many different types of wellness program offerings so be sure that they are beneficial to your specific needs.
Employee recognition – Find out how the company acknowledges and rewards employees for their hard work.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) – Determine if there is an official DEI program or group that supports all employees.
As an employee, you play a major part in your well-being by deciding what’s best for you. It may not be a simple decision to stay with an organization or leave, but it’s essential to be realistic about your situation and make an informed decision. Ultimately, employees should be excited about the workplace and find their job rewarding.
Call To Action
If you want more productive and engaged employees in the workplace and are looking for training programs to support your employees, I can help you with workplace wellness training and coaching in the areas of leadership, relationships, mindset, exercise, nutrition, sleep, and stress management. I can be reached at ksmith@happinessinyoucoach.com.
Also, you can read my book Sick Workplaces: What Employers Are Missing When It Comes To Workplace Wellness to learn more about the challenges that employees and employers face in the workplace and solutions.
Katina Smith, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Katina Smith is a Workplace Wellness Trainer, Board Certified Holistic Health Practitioner, Certified Functional Nutrition Counselor, and Certified Mental Wellness coach. She has over 20 years of experience evaluating the effectiveness and efficiency of programs and operations and over 10 years of experience in the health and wellness industry. Katina drives outcomes through active listening and utilizing scientifically proven methods that yield results when applied. She is the founder of Happiness In You, a health and wellness company that helps clients feel confident and live a healthy and happy life.
