Why is taking into account the well-being of employees essential?

The business world is complex and uncertain. In order to remain competitive and sustainable, the company has to evolve continuously, which can lead to more intense and sometimes challenging times. It is therefore essential to implement a caring culture within the company, which emphasizes the elements that generate well-being such as recognition, collaboration, team spirit, autonomy, inclusion, etc.

Indeed, a "Better life at work" program that looks after the well-being of employees generates commitment and performance. Feeling fulfilled at work stimulates the potential in all of us, brings creativity, optimism and positive energy ⁻ everything that allows you to be at your best.

These information pages will help you to understand how you, as an individual, can look after your own well-being and contribute to that of your colleagues, understand what well-being at work is and how it translates into behaviors in everyday working life. 

The "Better life at work" program reflects this belief and implements strategies to improve the health and quality of life of its staff.

Everybody wins in a better life at work culture. So, let us start to learn more !

The aim of the Better Life at Work program : To create a Sustainable Better quality of Life at work at Solvay, putting the focus in the human dimension. This will have as a consequence positive organizational outcomes, such as performance and commitment. 

The impact on well-being at work has to be taken into account in each management decision.

How to identify warning signals?

• If you feel that you are facing difficulties you can not manage, if you can not organize or prioritize your work → dialogue with your manager
• If you detect negative changes, even small, lasting more than 15 days, in :
  • Mood (irritable, sad,...)
  • Behaviors (isolation, detachment, distance,...)
  • Performance (working as always but with lower efficacy - real or perceived)
  • Lifestyle (eating disorders, sleep disorders,...)

Speak up, look for support

• If you have symptoms that could be linked with stress → Speak with physician / nurse / psychologist.

• Lack of concentration, and energy, headaches, dizziness, panic attacks, depression and anger
• Stomach issues such as acid reflux and ulcers, change in appetite leading to weight loss or gain
• Suppressed immune system leading to high levels of inflammation and illness
• Joint pain and lowered bone density, muscle tension, tightness
• Increased heart rate and blood pressure leading to increased risk of high cholesterol and heart attacks
• Sleep disorders, mainly sleep deprivation such as insomnia, due to feeling tense and anxious.

• Think about your feelings and thoughts 

Give them a name. Observe where they are located in your body. What are the causes? Think with perspective. Define what you can do (in your perimeter of action or influence) to decrease risk factors and increase resources. Accept what is outside of your perimeter of action.

• Speak out

Express your concerns to your manager and/or colleagues.

If you need support : speak with a physician, nurse or psychologist.

• Organize and prioritize
  • Skip tasks if they are small tasks. Plan them closer to the deadline
  • Prioritize, especially in case of urgency. Decide what the most urgent task is (important vs urgent)
  • Take breaks and make time for yourself
  • Set a clear time that marks the end of the working day

Identify and use your personal resources : each one is different; know yourself to make better use of your strengths.

• Adopt a healthy lifestyle
  • Good Sleep - lack of sleep adds to stress
  • Nutrition - eat healthy
  • Exercise, walking, movement - generates endorphins (good mood) and promotes better sleeping
• Socialize 

Connect with people, stay in touch with your loved ones.

• Focus on the present (not excessive thinking in negative aspects of the past or the future)

Enjoy what you are doing at each moment, be positive and see the good side of things, express gratitude and be kind. 

• Try relaxation 

Mindfulness, deep breathing, cardiac coherence. Being calm will help you have more clarity and make better decisions.

• Charter for Work-Life Balance 

The Solvay Group recognizes the fundamental importance of work-life balance as a guarantee of a better quality of life and better company performance. By means of this charter, which is applicable in its establishments, Solvay undertakes to promote a culture, a work organization, a management style and behaviours that encourage this balance. In an international context and one of rapid technological change, this charter is a pragmatic reminder to everyone of the good practices to be respected.

Solvay WW guiding principles on employees work-life balance (2017)

• Other tools that can help you:

Exercises to prepare for stress management(French)

The workshop balance tool to reflect on how to minimize risk factors and increase protective factors. To help you understand what are the demands / resources balance are, click here.

The workload assessment : this tool can help you to lay the foundations for the discussion with your manager. 

The mobile working wiki page with all support materials : one of the components to play on to generate well-being at work. 

The active pauses video : demonstration of what a short active pause can look like.

• Some suggestions of Wellbeing at work:

Please read this presentation, it is in English and French.

Having a special interest in well-being at work allows you to take care of yourself but also of your colleagues and your organization. It allows you to be an actor of your well-being and of your fulfillment. There is no better person than you to take care of you. Obviously the company is responsible for our well-being, but by being aware and attentive, it allows us to act upstream, to prevent risks, to identify or help others to anticipate and avoid problems. All together we contribute better than alone. Well-being is everyone's business!