Wellness in the workspace

by Startacus Admin

With a background in occupational therapy, Glandore Director, Clare Kelly’s experience has shaped Glandore’s own wellness initiatives. Hosting Pilates and yoga classes, lunch and learn seminars and meditation guidance, among other offerings, Glandore’s wellness programme has become a way of not only supporting their members’ wellbeing but offering them a healthy opportunity to connect and socialise with one another.

Reflecting on her own background and experience in the field, Clare Kelly weighs in on workplace wellbeing and how leading flexible office and co-working space provider Glandore encourages their members to stay happy and healthy. 

"According to research from employee experience company Qualtrics, almost half of UK workers (47 per cent) spend the majority of their time feeling overwhelmed by their workloads, while 85 per cent say that work is causing them stress.

Repeated studies have shown that there is a strong link between workplace well-being and employee productivity, retention and all-round happiness. Offering employee perks and additional well-being benefits can be a key growth driver in recruiting and retaining top talent. 

From mental well-being, physical health, through to the work environment itself, employers can have a positive impact over the workplace well-being of their employees and co-workers. 

Mental well-being is increasingly becoming an important part of the conversation around wellness in the workspace.

For startups in particular, mental well-being can easily become neglected. Without the security of a corporate package and the mounting anxieties that come with growing a business, mental well-being can be pushed to the bottom of a long list.

Many startups consist of one or two person teams meaning founders take on multiple roles, working long hours and acquiring second jobs to support themselves.  The stress of starting a company may only begin once the product has gone to market as the challenges of growth take their toll on founders. Whether it is raising capital, building a team or finding premises, founders of start-ups can quickly find there's a lot on their plate. 

As Glandore is a leading co-working space provider for startups, we take that responsibility seriously.

Mindfulness boosting exercises can be a great way to embrace and shape that type of company culture. Physical exercise such as yoga, meditation and walking, are all known to increase mindfulness and act as a calming influence over the hussle and bussle of every day life.

Workplaces that timetable in mindfulness boosting exercises can often find that the downtime that this hour or two gives, creates a more balanced and productive workforce in the long run.

The flexibility to allow for downtime often allows for better workplace wellness. Co-working spaces naturally help with that flexibility. Not only are our companies able to come and go as they choose but they are also able to work outside the rigid 9-5, which can automatically create pressurised environments. 

We strive to create an environment that encourages, inspires and supports the growth of the companies we house. Our mission is to create a dynamic, supportive and friendly community where individuals can flourish. We understand that wellness in the workplace has to be a top-down approach. If it’s not encouraged and embodied from the leadership level down, it won’t get the traction to succeed.

For that reason we host our own wellness programme that aims to deliver a range of modern and innovative services that will evaluate, engage and energise our members to create a healthier workplace and enhance productivity. Our ‘Grow in Life’, ‘Grow in Body’ and ‘Grow in Mind’ programme is delivered through webinars, onsite seminars, exercise classes and pamper days across our two locations in Belfast. 

And finally, talk. Start that conversation now within your workplace on how wellness can be improved. Allow for an open conversation that embraces physical and mental well-being. Of course, if you come and house your team within one of our Glandore flexible workspaces, we can help to start to shape that conversation too."

If you like this article from Glandore Director, Clare Kelly you may also want to read her two previous articles on Startacus: 

How co-working spaces are changing the way business is done in NI

Why the NI startup sector will continue to grow

  

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Published on: 22nd November 2018