The importance of purpose in your employee wellbeing strategy

On a very basic level, making employee wellbeing a priority may result in a more engaged and productive workforce. But how exactly?

The importance of purpose in your employee wellbeing strategy

Employee wellbeing is a bit of a buzzword right now, for good reason. That’s because wellbeing is all about how happy, healthy or comfortable we are.

On a very basic level, making employee wellbeing a priority may result in a more engaged and productive workforce. But how exactly?

The connection between purpose and wellbeing

One way to boost wellbeing is by tapping into the power of purpose.

According to Roy T Bennet, "if you have a strong purpose in life, you don't have to be pushed. Your passion will drive you there."

Now, that's a bold claim, but there may be some truth behind it, especially for the younger generation.

So, what do we mean by purpose, and why is it important for employee wellbeing?

When we talk about purpose, we mean that intangible drive; you know, the one that motivates you to get up in the morning and decides the choices you make in life. It influences your behaviour, shapes your goals, and creates meaning.

In other words, the bigger picture.

There is growing evidence that people who have a purpose in life are happier and more productive. They also enjoy better mental and physical health.

Clearly, this is a key factor when considering the relationship individuals have with work. Especially when we consider that we spend more time at work than we do with our families. No wonder more and more people are aspiring to meaningful and satisfying careers.

For this reason, purpose should play a key part in your employee health and wellbeing initiatives. A strong organisational purpose can act to steer the ship - a North Star, if you'd like. It gives employees something to aim for, and when we give meaning to their work, it encourages a sense of achievement and responsibility, both of which are key to wellbeing.

The millennial question

Ah, millennials. This group of people is already the largest segment of the workforce; by 2025, it is estimated they will make up 75%.

Millennials put purpose before paychecks. After all, they have experienced recessions, a pandemic, the rising cost of house prices, pensions stalling, and an insecure job market.

That means they are less likely to settle for an organisation that doesn't match their beliefs.

Instead, many people, and especially millennials, are looking for work that contributes positively. In fact, 94 percent say they want to use their skills to benefit a cause.

Organisations who prioritise purpose and follow through with their actions will attract and retain the best talent, both of which are key for productivity and success.

Millennials want work that means something - can you provide it?

Finding purpose every day

You've probably heard the phrase 'do what you love, and you'll never work a day in your life', and it may well be true.

But it isn't possible for everyone, and nor should we encourage it.

Believing you won't be happy at work until you are doing something you love can lead to disappointment and has a negative effect on mental health.

We need to be supporting mental health in the workplace, so instead, the aim is to create a workplace that provides social opportunities, a sense of belonging, an inclusive environment, and stability.

Appeal to the intrinsic values of your employees by aligning their core beliefs, values, and passions with the company mission and vision. Doing this will increase both motivation and employee wellbeing.

Give this a go by encouraging employees to create their own purpose-driven headlines for their work - ones that are more descriptive and dynamic than their job titles. This helps them identify exactly how they carry out the organisation's purpose in their daily life. When KPMG tried this exercise, they found employees’ engagement and pride in their work skyrocketed.

Get in touch with team Loopin

Purpose is a highly effective tool that can lead to happier, healthier, and more productive employees. It also helps to improve employee engagement in the workplace.

In the immortal words of Simon Sinek, "people don't buy what you do; they buy why you do it." Our 'why' is to create environments where it's ok to show vulnerability and emotion. What's yours?

Interested in finding out how you can integrate wellbeing into your organisation? Use our live chat feature or feel free to grab some time in our diary for a demo of all features and Loopin best practices for your business.