Engagement Research

Employee wellbeing and engagement go hand-in-hand, meaning engaged employees tend to have a higher level of wellbeing. In turn, healthy employees are more likely to feel a sense of engagement in the workplace, and therefore employers should do everything they can to capitalise on this (Kholl, 2018). Work engagement is described as contentment within the workplace, shown by a “positive and affective-cognitive state”. This can indicate an individual’s overall health and wellbeing (Ouweneel, Le Blanc and Schaufeli, 2014).

When individuals feel engaged in the workplace, they experience the highest level of wellbeing and satisfaction with their work (Rigby and Ryan, 2018). 

In contrast, poor employee engagement can harm employee performance and wellbeing (Shuck and Reio Jr, 2014). This relates to MacLeod and Clarke’s research in 2014, which further shows the importance of employee engagement, the positive effect of employee engagement on an individual’s psychological health, and in production of positive organisational outcomes (MacLeod and Clarke, 2014).

It is known that employees feel more engaged when their workplace has a community feel rather than a factory feel. Employee wellness programmes could be one way to help foster a sense of community within the workplace. 

WELL 1-2-1 Results – Heathrow Business Support Centre 201911

In terms of engagement levels after participating in the programme, numerous participants had noticed an increase in passion for their work and feeling more aware of, and taking more of an interest in, what was going on in the workplace. In addition, a number of those interviewed said that they felt more engaged with their work due to the teamwork aspect of the challenge, and their connection with their team members had made them feel more engaged at work in general:

 “During the programme, I felt more passionate about my work. I was drinking more water and getting out of my desk to take a walk. I think because the company encouraged the programme so much, it did raise my awareness of how to become healthier”.

 “The programme opened communication more, and I felt more engaged with other staff members and the company afterwards.” 

 “I feel more connected and engaged with the work I am doing. I use this for my 1-hour lunch break to go for a walk, and when I return, I feel more engaged at my desk with what is going on. I feel more aware.”