Workplace Wellness After The Pandemic And How Will It Affect Me and My Job?

Published on June 19, 2020

Due to COVID-19, many establishments have had to close their doors and let their employees work from home. Adjusting to working from home has been a challenging adjustment for a lot of people. From waking up at certain times to commute to work, to meetings at work, and just overall doing your job, it’s been one heck of a rollercoaster for those who had to transition to their homes. 

Now while at home, not only are people doing their jobs but also other tasks like housework, playing with the kids, being a teacher, etc. Everyone’s roles have switched up since the pandemic. 

Along with everyone adjusting to this new normal, there had to be a mindset change in working from home. Just because people are working from home doesn’t mean that it’s easy. People are transitioning to a new environment, and that may be hard for some. We all know how it is when it comes to change. Some might take it differently than others. 

Shifting Mindset

Sitting down and talking to one of my friends who works from home, she told me that it’s hard. She says its like she just picked up everything and moved. She felt more organized and motivated to do things before the pandemic. Now that she’s at home, it’s like her mind is doing a complete 180. 

It’s just a different environment as a whole. Most jobs have a program, policy, or activity that’s referred to as workplace wellness. When it comes to things like this, the company usually enforces this workplace wellness policy. 

Workplace Wellness

The question is what’s going to happen with workplace wellness after the pandemic? Will this now be a routine in companies, and will it be mandatory? The one thing we do know is the overall workplace wellness will change after the pandemic. 

Workplace Wellness is a “program or a health promotion activity designed to support healthy behavior in the workplace and to improve health outcomes.” It’s an outlet the company gives workers to go and help improve mental health in the workplace.  Examples of this could include one site fitness center, yoga classes, employee assistance programs, and more.

According to an article by Capital Region Champion, this is much needed in the workplace. The benefits can include “Reducing absenteeism and lost time. Also, improving on-the-job time utilization, decision making, and productivity, Improving employee morale, and more.” 

The Return to Work

What we know is this will be a definite must when employees are returning to work. Returning to work won’t be as easy as we think it will be, and it might be difficult for some. Heading back to the office can cause anxiety to some, knowing that they will be close to others. 

Companies will now have to ensure more health and safety measures when it comes to their employees. Many health and wellness precautions as well as actions are going to have to be put in place to ensure not only the safety but also the trust of their employees. 

When returning to your workplace, you want to make sure they are taking measures to keep you safe. Going back to work is going to be a new adjustment for everyone. Just like transitioning to being at home was challenging, transitioning back to work would be just as tough. Investing in workplace wellness will not only be beneficial towards employees but also the company as well. Workplace wellness will be a must for companies once everyone returns to work. 

Jori Ayers is a Staff Writer at Grit Daily based in Tampa, Florida. She was formerly with the editorial team at Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine.

Read more

More GD News