A lot of important changes have come about in the business world, and, for the most part, this is a really good thing. Improvements are being made all the time that allow work to be done more efficiently and that help employees feel less stressed and more supported in their responsibilities. One of the biggest human resources trends in 2016 that you will see more of is putting in place programs and regulations that are meant to increase employee wellness.
Many companies are putting in place programs to increase benefits, offer new active lifestyle challenges, increase training opportunities, and create social atmospheres. These are all highly suggested by experts in Industrial Organizational Psychology. For some reason, however, many companies that are working on this goal are finding themselves frustrated at not seeing the results that they were hoping and expecting.
There is a main reason for this lack of results, as explained by Lorna Borenstein at Entrepreneur. She states, “Your employee wellness program probably includes all the latest bells and whistles: flu shots, health fairs, an on-site fitness center, and maybe even team challenges with company-issued FitBits the boss is very proud of. Yet, something is still missing—and that something is employee participation.”
It makes sense that these programs really cannot succeed if the employees are not actively participating in them. You need to find ways for your employees to take advantage of what you are trying to offer. This means identifying the reasons that employees are not choosing to take part in these helpful offerings. Some of the most common reasons found are as follows:
- Lack of time
- Lack of energy
- Lack of knowledge
- Lack of social bonds
This shift of priorities to focus on the well-being of the employee is a great move, and is much needed, but in many cases it is not being handled as well as it could be because the right tools are not being properly utilized. One of the most important tools to support employee wellness packages is Document Management Software (DMS) programming.
Investing in DMS can help your employees take more notice of the other wellness programs as the implementation of this kind of technology can help to meet all of the aforementioned reasons for not fully participating.
DMS Offers More Time
Document Management Software programs will save you and your employees a lot of time. Shifting to paperless offices has been marketed as a great move to make to help the environment, but in the end, the more important matter to you should be that it improves the workplace for your employees.
When files are able to be found, shared, edited, stored, and recalled with the simple click of a button, your employees will all of the sudden find themselves in possession of more time. Freeing up hours in their day will give them the opportunity to get involved in the other wellness programs you are putting into place.
DMS Reduces Stress and Energy Output
When you make it easier for your employers to complete their work, they will feel less stress and anxiety. Deadlines will be easier to meet, and their time in the office will not be as frantic and frustrating. That is precisely what a good Document Management Software platform can do.
Things will be more organized, easier to find, and simpler to understand when this kind of system is implemented. As the stress levels are reduced, the motivation to take advantage of other wellness offerings will increase.
DMS Offers Good Communication Platforms
In the end, people can’t very well participate in wellness programs that they know nothing about. DMS is a paperless way to market these programs like nothing else. You will have the perfect venue to announce new programs and post the goals that you have with these events. The increased access of communication and input will help people be aware of your efforts and will allow you to create the events that are actually wanted and needed by your employees.
DMS Motivates Better Collaboration
Workers will be more motivated to compete in a health challenge or pick up offered health literature when they feel like they know the other people who will be involved. Offering more opportunities for people to get better acquainted with the other people in the office can make it easier for them to see participation in such events as a 5K or a quitting smoking challenge much more appealing.
In fact, there are other important health benefits that can come from creating a more social atmosphere including, but not limited to the following:
- Less stress
- Better morale
- More communication
- Improved accountability
- Combined goals
- Happier demeanors
DMS technology creates the perfect platform for collaboration with others in the office. All of the sudden, projects are handled department-wide rather than parceled out one-by-one to separate individuals. This collaboration will make for higher quality work and faster speeds of production, but it will also help to forge social bonds between your employees. These new bonds can result in better participation in your efforts to improve the health and wellness of the employees.