Whilst the title of this article might actually baffle some of us, keep in mind that ‘Wellness at Work’ is a concept that has found popularity the world over and could be implemented within organizations in the Middle East too. Many organizations are getting increasingly concerned about the complete (which includes physical, mental, emotional and spiritual) health of their employees. After all, employees are the very reason for the survival of any kind of business. So why wouldn’t a company invest in the growth of their employees’? For instance, Google as a company is famous (besides it’s obvious work), for the fantastic benefits it offers its employees. From swimming whilst on a short break from work, to gaming at Lego stations or even enjoying massages; Google may have it all under one roof! But what if living in the UAE, you too can have a slice of this pie? Would you go for it? I think you would.

Let’s have a look at what companies have in the offering.

We eat, we meet!

Knowing that employees are the lifeline of a company and those skipping work over ill health would cost the employer a lot of money, some companies are now switching to healthier diets and snack options whilst at work.

Move away you greasy slice of pizza and make way for some refreshing Greek salad!

What’s more, these snack rooms are often designed to be inter- team friendly, allowing for more space to interact across company teams. So you may actually learn a new skill from someone on another team whilst you eat that healthy grilled hummus sandwich.

Yoga, meditation, and more

Stress levels at work may vary but are always present, no matter which industry and country you find yourself working in. So it’s wise to incorporate ‘at-work’ or ‘after-work’ programs designed to help employees relax, tune-in or tune out, whatever it is that they may need. These programs could vary, from something as fun as gaming stations to contest at, to something as intensive as personal therapy sessions at work. Exercise and mind calming activities like yoga and meditation, have been found to benefit employees tremendously too. Add mindfulness as a practice to this, and you have a range of activities to help employees with. Have you ever experienced any of these in Dubai?

There may be some employees who want to focus on the body instead of the mind, or want to develop stamina at the gym or engage in outdoor activities…all whilst at work. Wellness programs at work also take care of such employees’ needs all within their work hours. Some companies even promote healthy behaviours like ‘weight-loss’ and ‘de-addiction’ by incentivizing these programs on offering them to employees. They have accepted the fact that healthier employees are happier and hence more beneficial to the organization, than those who stay unhealthy and unhappier.

Up-skill yourself!

Studies have often cited how a work-life balance is beneficial to everyone. Whilst there are a fortunate few who find work that actually feels like play to them, what is the verdict for the rest of us? The answer could lie in the development of your talents and hobbies. Such activities that at times get us through the darkest of days, could also help cheer us at work. This is why some companies are investing their time and money engaging employees in recreational activities that add value to their personal happiness.

So participating in employee volleyball matches or teaching golf lessons aren’t new to online retailer Zappos. Zappos in fact, has a special program called ‘Recess Tuesdays’ where employees have fun in the company outdoor plaza. They shoot hoops, play ball or simply spend time hanging out with one another. It’s Recess Tuesday, so everyone reeeelaxes!

Other employers have been organizing ‘fun fairs’, ‘art, dance, and other skill building workshops’, ‘contests’; all with the intention of encouraging their employees to have fun and bond with each other. So if you think you can belly-dance or just prepare excellent Falafel, don’t be shy to display your art at work.

Business – skills programs and team coaching

It’s no rocket science that objectives in organizations are met because people with different skill-sets and work styles set out to achieve them together. But where there’s calm, a storm might soon follow. So, companies hire team building ‘coaches’ to help people work out their conflicts and optimize their skills to achieve the team’s objectives. If you realize that personal roadblocks are preventing you from reaching the team’s goals, no worry! The coaches at work could also see you through these roadblocks, helping you reach your personal goals gradually.

Besides these programs, there are others aimed at building business skills within executives, managers and other employees; which is a very common practice in companies. This up-gradation that involves a lot of money, will not only lead to business benefits but also create a sense of employee satisfaction in all involved.

Connection through community service

The immediate community that lives amongst us (in the form of the help we employ, the homeless, hungry on the street and the underprivileged) and whom we rarely interact with, often feel separate from us. We may see them as the outcast or ourselves as a stranger to them. This leads to disharmony and disconnection between the two groups sharpening the lines of division between us.

Studies have suggested that an active involvement with your community (however you choose to define the word ‘community’) often leads to an increase in your personal well-being and obvious benefits to the beneficiaries. This is why, some companies plan ‘employee engagement’ programs involving employee volunteers from the company to aid with community initiatives that matter to the company. If the initiative hits home for you, you could also be a part of the employee engagement program. For instance, within the UAE you could volunteer for an organization like the Khalifa Foundation or Dubai Cares to aid with their objectives.

Non-profit organizations such as these also focus on other issues like global warming, deforestation, water preservation; or may deal directly with people related issues, such as tending to the health and education of children or the elderly. Each organization will have a specific vision and affiliates to help reach their vision. So an extra pair of hands would always be welcome at a non-profit affiliated to your company’s employee engagement programs.

So head on to the HR, and inquire about any of these programs within your company. Check if any of these programs are a part of your company’s work culture in the UAE? If they aren’t…could you suggest a few? After all, work is an integral part of our lives now and adding ‘wellness’ to it is has only become a matter of priority.