3 Ways to Build Employee Resilience in the Workplace

Resilience in the workplace wasn’t really a topic 10 years ago.   But in the last year and a half, with the COVID-19 pandemic, it has opened a lot of people’s eyes to resilience and how to create the best team as well as a team environment for employees. 

In this blog post, we wanted to share about resilience in the workplace, why it’s important and 3 actionable ways to start building resilience today. 

What is workplace resilience?

Workplace resilience is formed when the environment at work is one that’s positive for employees. The environment should allow employees to adapt to adverse situations, manage stress all while retaining motivation. 

Workplace resilience is also created by a health and wellbeing focus at the office. One that is created by the leaders and encouraged and supported by the employees. This type of focus includes health benefits, wellness challenges, and a full focus on physical, social, emotional financial and professional opportunities in the office.

Isolation, loss of income, bereavement and fear are triggering mental health conditions or exacerbating existing ones.  Protests and varying opinions about vaccines and vaccine passports have put more people on edge.  Many people may be facing increased levels of alcohol and drug use, insomnia, and anxiety.

Pandemic or not, there will always be tough times to go through. Whether it’s a tight deadline, office politics or new management, personal resilience will help you pick yourself up through those tough times. When you’re personally resilient, workplace resilience will become easier for you to achieve. 

“Many individuals are living in survival mode these days,” shares Corrie Omand-Brown, Owner and Employee Benefits Advisor at Navy & Sage Benefits.  “It can take only a few minutes a day with conscious effort to build resiliency and ensure that we are taking good care of our mental health.  We believe there is an opportunity for employers to create a culture where this practice is encouraged.”

Establish a good work/life balance.

The first tip on creating resilience in the workplace is to learn how to balance work and life. Everyone talks about work life balance, but what exactly does that mean? For us, balancing work and life is remembering that once you’re finished work for the day, you head home to your life. Whether you have a family, or a pet, or a close knit group or friends, there’s so much goodness that happens outside of your work. 

Be sure you’re taking the time and energy to enjoy life. When we’re stressed or going through a hard time at work, it’s sometimes harder to enjoy life when you come home. Instead of complaining about the day and sitting down and numbing yourself with TV, try to get outside, spend some time in your favourite room of the house, cook some delicious meals and remember to breathe. 

Take care of your health.

If the company that you work for takes priority in employees health, be sure to utilize the programs that they offer. It’s harder to be resilient, if you’re unwell. 

Taking care of your health includes eating well throughout the day, taking breaks at the office, not engaging in workplace drama and visiting your healthcare professionals. Many companies have health benefits that don’t get used. This includes counselling, dietitians, massage and chiro. When you’re putting yourself as a priority, be sure to check your health care benefits plan to see what benefits you’re not using. 

Taking care of your health also means not coming into the office when you’re sick, always having a bottle of water at your desk and lowering your screen time.

According to Aon, only 15% of employees are resilient within an organization that doesn’t offer health and wellbeing initiatives. Resilient employees rise to 20% within organizations that offer partial health and wellbeing initiatives. And, 45% of employees within organizations with broad health and wellbeing programs are resilient. 

If you’re a manager, CEO or founder of a company, it’s time to ensure that your employees are equipped with the programs to create resilient and long lasting employees. If you’re an employee at a job with no benefits, speak up and ask about the company getting them.

Continue working on your journey to resilience 

Resilience will not come as soon as you take care of your health, your company has benefits and you figure out work/life balance. It’s an ever-evolving journey that takes commitment, time and practice. 

With each day that you commit to workplace resilience, each day you’ll notice improvement. Be sure to be compassionate with yourself. Since it’s always evolving, everything will come in waves. You’ll have good days and you’ll have bad days. But, during your bad days, try to remember why you’re committing to workplace resilience. 

Be open about your resilience journey with staff members, coworkers and your managers. If they know that you’re committed to becoming a valuable, long term employee that is resilient, they will help you achieve your goals and encourage you along the way.

Reach out to an HR consultant to help your company 

If you’re ready to begin your employee resilience journey, but aren’t sure how to achieve your goals, ask your manager to reach out to an HR consultant to help. At Navy & Sage Benefits, we love helping businesses create a workplace that encourages growth, long-term employees and resilience. Please reach out to us today to discuss how we can help the company you’re a part of become a place that promotes resilience.