The work environment and job satisfaction are intrinsically linked. What an employee thinks about their workstation, their office, and how their wellbeing is valued will undoubtedly influence how long they plan to stay in a role.

Fellowes research supports this assertion. According to our paper, A Little Movement for Big Success , almost a third of all employees would quit their jobs because of the negative effects their working environment is having on their health. And over half of managers think they’ve lost employees for the same reason.

The story is simple: businesses are losing their best people for motives that are often within their control. And this points towards one certainty: employee health and happiness is essential to modern business success.

Matching expectations

Today, more than ever, people are adopting increasingly healthier lifestyles outside the office. As such, they expect health and wellbeing to be prioritised in their office too – with 2 in 5 people saying they would ask about a company’s wellbeing policy when interviewing for a new role.

But for those already in a job, it’s often the case that they consider themselves as healthy at home, but unhealthy at work . With that in mind, it’s little wonder that wellbeing programmes are on the rise across Europe. Employers have to take employee health and happiness seriously if they’re to improve morale, boost productivity and keep their employees.

Better wellness for better retention

If a poor work environment is the cause of an employee exodus, then this suggests that businesses can sway their employees’ intentions to leave by creating a supportive working environment instead. But how exactly should they go about creating one?

For most, it starts with a wellness programme, which can improve retention, reduce absenteeism and boost the bottom line. But it must be engaging, holistic and strategically tailored to company goals in order to so. As such, a creative approach to corporate wellness is necessary. It must appeal to all employees and be able to inspire ongoing change.

As for the detail of the programme, some elements can be simple. Switching the biscuit jar for a fruit basket to encourage healthy snacking habits, for instance. Others, however, must be more comprehensive. Implementing community volunteering initiatives or monthly yoga classes can encourage employees to think about their wellbeing outside of their daily tasks.

Importantly, a wellness programme must give employers the chance to fundamentally improve the way employees work. Many offices enable a sedentary lifestyle, with workers sitting down for most of the day. And email and online chat means that people don’t even get up to talk to their colleagues.

Sit-stand desks are just one of the ways employers can change this. They encourage more movement throughout the working day, and has the means to prevent chronic disease and improve employee health overall. Movement can lead to a more happier work environment, and this can lead to a direct boost in retention.

Keeping up the effort

With a third of people surveyed claiming their back and neck pain stem from their work environment – the existing workplace is due for a change. But people adapt to change differently, meaning achieving results requires lasting commitment.

As such, employers need to ramp up their efforts to create wellbeing-focused workplaces today. Because while strong finances satisfied clients and a shiny office are important – it’s the employees that keep a business running. This is why a healthy, happy and active workforce is essential for success.

Don’t let a poor work environment and sedentary office lifestyle be the cause of your talent drain. Discover how you can improve employee retention with the Sit-Stand Movement .