WHAT DOES SOCIAL WELLBEING LOOK LIKE?
If you’ve looked through our HOSPO Health Wellbeing Framework, you’ll be familiar with the five different areas of wellbeing we focus on: physical, mental, financial, occupational and social. This month, we’re putting the spotlight onto social wellbeing.
Firstly, what is social wellbeing? Boston University describes social wellbeing as “building and maintaining healthy relationships and having meaningful, authentic interactions with others.”
WHY SOCIAL WELLBEING MATTERS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
Social wellbeing is essential for fostering a healthy, productive work environment. It plays a key role in driving team cohesion, employee satisfaction, and customer experience – three critical elements for success in a customer focused business and industry. Let’s break this down a bit further.
Team cohesion: whether your business is a restaurant, hotel, café, bar or function centre you know that exceptional customer service relies heavily on teamwork and collaboration. Staff who feel a strong sense of connection with their colleagues will work together seamlessly, share knowledge, communicate openly, support each other and resolve problems more effectively. And all this leads to increased productivity.
Employee satisfaction: team members who feel valued and supported by their management and colleagues are more likely to stay with the business for a longer time. We know that high employee turnover is costly at all levels, so by providing your team with a positive, socially engaged workplace you’ll see greater retention, and ultimately a more stable and experienced team to look after your clients.
Optimal customer experience: team members who feel socially supported and connected at work are more likely to approach their work with a positive attitude. Positive, engaged employees translates into better customer service, building loyalty and a strong reputation for your business. And that’s a WIN-WIN-WIN for all!
QUICK AND EASY TIPS FOR PROMOTING SOCIAL WELLBEING IN YOUR BUSINESS
A strong culture of social wellbeing can be seen in an inclusive environment where every employee feels valued, open communication is encouraged, and regular team-building activities are held to foster a sense of belonging. Let’s look at a few simple actions you could put in place now to create a sense of social wellbeing for your team at work.
- Organise a team lunch or social activity – if you’re in a busy work environment, building relationships outside the workplace can take the pressure off.
- Introduce peer recognition programs that celebrate achievements and contributions, we all love to hear positive stories, and to feel that our colleagues appreciate our efforts. A monthly ‘Superstar’ award is easy to implement – provide a certificate or a gift voucher, and a heartfelt thank you to a team member who has gone over and above.
- Establish a buddy system to help new staff integrate smoothly into the team.
Investing in social wellbeing not only strengthens your team but also enhances the overall guest experience, making it an invaluable asset to your hospitality business.
If staff wellbeing is an area that’s new to you, now is a great time to have a look around this website. We have an extensive range of resources for you and your team to access, and there is no cost involved.
* This article was written for and published in Hospitality Review magazine, December 2024/January 2025.
Photo: Iron Creek Bay Estate, one of our HOSPO Health case study properties, recently took part in a Play and Learn Workshop on Healthy Eating. With a relatively new team, employee wellbeing is high on their priority list as part of fostering a strong workplace culture. It was clear to see the team shares a sense of genuine social connection and camaraderie.