It's National Vitality Week, a perfect time to reflect on the importance of wellbeing in the workplace. But what do you do when the myriad of wellbeing initiatives overwhelm you and you can't see the forest for the trees? This dilemma was aptly addressed in my recent conversation with Livia Mensah of Cigna Healthcare Europe. She explained how their innovative 5% Pledge initiative can help companies find a starting point in promoting employee wellness.
The 5% Pledge from Cigna is a simple but effective concept. By committing to it as a company, you give employees the freedom to decide how to spend 5% of their work time on their own wellbeing. This can range from exercising twice a week during work hours to taking a longer walk outside every day.
Other options include devoting two hours a week to team building or social contact, or even devoting a full working day a month to charity. Another special idea is to work together on a project that has nothing to do with work, an approach that has been used at Google for considerable success has provided.
What is unique about this initiative is that it gives employees complete autonomy. As an employer, you don't have to decide for your employees how they spend their time. This not only promotes a sense of freedom and self-management among employees, but also encourages creativity and team spirit. It is a recognition that well-being is multi-faceted and not everyone has the same needs.
People don't do what you say, but do what you do
Yet it is important to recognize that this step is only the beginning. True culture change within an organization requires more than simply allocating time for wellbeing; it requires a shift in how we think about work and health. It involves creating an environment where employees feel supported, where mental well-being is as important as physical health, and where people can talk openly about stress and burnout.
This initiative is also a call for leaders to take the lead in this culture change. Leadership plays a crucial role in how wellbeing initiatives are received and implemented within an organization. It is about leading by example, showing empathy and creating an environment where employees feel safe to advocate for their wellbeing.
Today, at the conclusion of National Vitality Week, I am taking the initiative myself by stopping work two hours earlier. It is a small gesture, but symbolic of the larger change we need to pursue within our organizations and in our mindset about work and well-being. Let's use this week as a springboard to create a more sustainable, healthier and happier workplace for all.
