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The Human Side of Tech: How Do You Prioritize Employee Well-Being?
To help you prioritize employee well-being in a tech-driven environment, we asked CEOs and founders for their best practices. From avoiding communication outside work hours to utilizing employee assistance programs, here are fifteen initiatives shared to ensure a healthy work-life balance.
- Avoid Communication Outside Work Hours
- Incentivize Wellness Challenges
- Implement Digital Detox Hour
- Promote Ergonomic Awareness
- Prioritize Deliverables in Team Meetings
- Offer Flexible Work Options
- Encourage Regular Breaks
- Define and Stick to Working Hours
- Integrate Frequent Breaks
- Foster Non-Work-Related Activities
- Build Workplace Communities
- Provide Wellness Platforms and Apps
- Embrace Automation for Balance
- Rethink Performance Reviews
- Utilize Employee Assistance Programs
Avoid Communication Outside Work Hours
We prioritize employee well-being by not communicating with employees outside the hours of 8-5, Monday-Friday. As a leadership team, we think it’s also important to role-model healthy behavior for employees. When we go out of the office, for example, we don’t respond to emails during that time. We direct all communication and requests to another leader and make a note of this in our auto-response replies. We also take vacation time without checking in. This helps employees to feel comfortable doing the same for themselves.
Dave Rietsema, CEO, Matchr
Incentivize Wellness Challenges
We’ve seen the transformative power of integrating wellness into the fabric of our work culture. A key strategy has been the use of incentivized wellness challenges, which have proven to be highly effective in promoting healthy habits and overall well-being.
We’ve designed these challenges to be both individual and collective experiences. For example, our Community Challenges bring together employees across departments to participate in shared wellness goals, such as walking a certain number of steps or practicing mindfulness. These challenges foster a sense of unity and encourage everyone to support each other in their wellness journeys.
Additionally, our Team Challenges create opportunities for smaller groups to engage in friendly competition. Whether it’s a fitness challenge or a mental health awareness activity, these team-based initiatives build camaraderie and a spirit of collaboration, making wellness a shared responsibility.
By incentivizing these challenges, we’ve found that participation rates soar, and the positive impacts on both physical and mental health are significant. Employees feel more connected, engaged, and motivated, leading to a workplace that’s not only productive but also deeply supportive of each individual’s well-being.
Anjan Pathak, Co-founder, Vantage Fit
Implement Digital Detox Hour
In the current ever-changing technological world, taking care of employees is more important than ever before. We know that technology’s assimilation into our daily jobs sometimes makes it difficult to distinguish between leisure and work life, which in turn leads to exhaustion and loss of output.
One of the cornerstones of this company is “Digital Detox Hour.” We have an hour during which every day we encourage our workers to disconnect from digital devices and engage in activities that will improve their well-being. This could range from walking around, practicing mindfulness or meditation, and spending quality time with family members, among many other activities.
Varsha Khatri, Wellness Coach, Prowise Healthcare
Promote Ergonomic Awareness
Ergonomic awareness has been a game-changer for us. We’ve made it a priority to educate our team about proper posture and workspace setup. Regular reminders encourage everyone to:
- Adjust their workstation for comfort
We’ve even implemented a “posture-check” hour, where everyone stops to reassess their sitting position and make adjustments. This focus on ergonomics has significantly reduced complaints of physical discomfort. Plus, it’s created a culture where people feel empowered to prioritize their physical well-being throughout the workday.
Shawn Plummer, CEO, The Annuity Expert
Prioritize Deliverables in Team Meetings
In today’s tech-driven landscape, prioritizing employee well-being is crucial for fostering a productive and engaged workforce. One effective initiative I implement is weekly team meetings where we collaboratively prioritize deliverables and outline key activities for the week ahead.
During these discussions, we assign ownership of specific tasks, ensuring that everyone knows their responsibilities and can plan their time accordingly. This structure not only clarifies expectations but also allows team members to choose when to tackle their work, enabling them to align their tasks with their personal schedules and peak productivity times.
We strongly emphasize maintaining a healthy work-life balance by encouraging transparency and open communication. This flexibility helps to alleviate stress and prevents burnout, as employees feel supported in managing their responsibilities.
Yemisi Iyilade, Founder & CEO, Eminent Coaching Academy
Offer Flexible Work Options
I manage technology with a big focus on boosting employee health in our tech-savvy workplace. Handling the load while carving out tech-free zones, I’m all about preventing burnout and promoting a healthy work-life balance.
It’s important to offer flexible options like working from home and picking your hours, letting your team shape their schedules around their personal lives and needs. This isn’t just good for morale; it actually improves job satisfaction.
It’s super important to also build a company culture that keeps communication open and makes sure people feel appreciated. When you make sure that your team feels valued and listened to, they’re not just happier—they’re more productive too.
I stress the need to take regular breaks as well, and to ensure you celebrate your wins and keep your workloads reasonable, all to maintain a positive tone around the office.
With a mix of smart tech management, flexible work setups, and a supportive atmosphere, you can address employee health from all angles, helping them flourish in a tech-oriented world.
Heidi Cortez, Founder, Heidi Cortez
Encourage Regular Breaks
With the increasing reliance on technology, I’ve found that professionals in tech-driven environments must prioritize their well-being actively. The constant screen time and sedentary work environments can take a toll on their physical and mental health.
I have several clients working in tech-driven environments, and I advise them to include regular breaks in their workday—ideally, stand up and stretch or walk around every hour. Setting boundaries is also key, which is why I encourage them to create a clear separation between work and personal time, such as having a designated workspace and unplugging after work hours.
Furthermore, I advise them to integrate physical activity into their daily routine, like a short workout or yoga session, which can help counteract the effects of prolonged sitting. Stress management techniques, such as mindfulness or deep-breathing exercises, are also beneficial. These steps can help maintain a healthy work-life balance and support overall well-being in a tech-driven environment.
Wendell Albarran, Fitness Expert & Nutritionist, Real Elevate Fitness
Define and Stick to Working Hours
Encouraging employees to define their working hours and stick to them is an effective strategy I’ve implemented for establishing work-life boundaries. By providing this clarity, individuals can more effectively separate their personal life from work obligations without feeling overwhelmed.
Additionally, advocating the setting of expectations with colleagues and clients around availability reinforces these boundaries—a key component in regaining control over one’s time outside office hours while reducing overall stress levels associated with work-related duties.
This results in both increased well-being for staff members as well as heightened productivity during designated working times—an all-around winning approach.
Albert Kim, VP of Talent, Checkr
Integrate Frequent Breaks
Integrating frequent breaks into the workday can have a considerable effect on employees’ overall health and happiness. It offers them an opportunity to refuel and reinvigorate, leading to heightened attentiveness and motivation upon their return. This habit decreases burnout and amplifies efficiency by permitting mental rejuvenation time.
Modest yet potent, recurring breaks are integral in maintaining equilibrium within our workplace environment as they boost both physical and psychological wellness. Encouragement of this practice among colleagues is essential for cultivating these benefits continuously.
Erin Acheson, VP of Business Intelligence, ZeroEyes
Foster Non-Work-Related Activities
I’ve worked remotely even before it became mainstream, and if I’ve learned something in my 10 years of that, it’s that no one can do their job well if they are not happy in their lives outside of work. This insight taught me the importance of listening to colleagues and understanding their lives.
An effective practice is having regular calls where team members play games and discuss their daily lives, avoiding work-related topics. This approach allows everyone to connect as individuals and reinforces the idea that life is not solely defined by work.
A happy and balanced employee performs better. To foster this environment, managers should implement similar initiatives. Creating opportunities for team members to engage in non-work-related activities can significantly enhance their well-being and productivity. Prioritizing employee happiness is not just beneficial for the individual but also for the overall success of the team.
Maria Surkova, Growth Product Manager, amma pregnancy tracker
Build Workplace Communities
We prioritize employee well-being by building workplace communities. While many employees appreciate the flexibility that hybrid or remote work offers, keeping them socially connected with their coworkers can be challenging. However, the benefits of fostering social relationships in the workplace are significant—not only for the employees but also for the organization. Employees who have close social ties with their coworkers are more likely to stay with the company.
One effective approach we’ve taken is to create communities within the workplace. These can be any type of group or activity that brings employees together, whether in-person or virtually. For example, we organize weekly icebreaker meetings, host forums for discussing current events, and support hobby-based groups like an employee book club. These communities provide employees with social outlets they might not have otherwise—especially in remote-work environments—and show our commitment to creating an inclusive and enjoyable workplace.
Amir Elaguizy, CEO and Co-Founder, Cratejoy, Inc
Provide Wellness Platforms and Apps
It is true that technology has many of our workforce sitting in front of a computer screen for hours on end, which is not so great for our collective health. Companies sometimes hire health organizations to provide wellness platforms or apps where employees can obtain a new recipe, participate in an online exercise class on a break, or engage in an e-wellness challenge with their work bestie in another department.
All these things are positive in a tech-driven environment, but there is hardly a replacement for the impactful, old-fashioned face-to-face interaction. Employees really do like taking a break away from their cubicles to engage in a live “heart-healthy” cooking demonstration, especially when they can taste the final product.
Co-workers have enjoyed a collective thirty-minute sound-bowl meditation session with a real practitioner to get them relaxed before the end of the workday. And the opportunity to speak to a Registered Dietician in a private and confidential setting for 30 minutes or more can be a profound experience in improving one’s overall health.
Apps and online resources certainly have their place. However, people are typically programmed to seek out the company of others, especially in an environment of learning about personal health. Even the utilization of an accountability partner when getting more on track for diet and exercise is powerful, as togetherness can usually feel pretty good.
Tina Severance-Fonte, Wellness Coordinator, Broward Schools & Private Consulting
Embrace Automation for Balance
Having run a tech-heavy environment, I do know this: taking care of your people is not about offering perks but creating a sustainable system that inherently supports balance. Embracing automation and systems to lighten the workload, not just to drive productivity, is probably one of the most effective practices for us. While technology often leads to burnout due to its always-on nature, we use it to do the opposite—to reclaim time for our team.
For instance, we have automated routine tasks and implemented tools like ClickUp for project management and Calendly for scheduling. This will not only smooth the operation but also actively reduce the need for after-hours work and decrease the stress connected with keeping up with several tasks. We have created an environment where systems do the routine, which allows our team members to focus their regular hours on creative and strategic work and helps them maintain a more honest work-life balance.
Gladly, so far it allows us to give everyone some mental space to log out after work, giving room for a culture that has productivity measured by output, not hours spent at the desk. It’s a slight nudge with a big effect. When your systems are working well for you, your team will be firefighting less and living more. And that, for me, is the key to succeeding in a tech-driven world without burnout.
Nicholas Robb, Lifestyle Business Expert, Life by Design
Rethink Performance Reviews
With the growing dependence on technology, I prioritize employee well-being by rethinking how we approach performance reviews. These reviews can be stressful, especially if employees aren’t getting regular feedback from their managers throughout the year. Without ongoing communication, the annual review process can become overwhelming.
To reduce this stress, managers should set up regular check-ins and acknowledge good work when it’s due. It’s also important to reframe negative feedback in a way that encourages growth. For example, rather than pointing out a missed deadline as a mistake that shouldn’t be repeated, managers can approach it as a chance to understand what happened and work together to prevent similar issues in the future.
I believe this helps turn challenges into opportunities for growth, showing that managers are invested in their employees’ success. It also helps create a less stressful and more balanced work environment, even in a tech-driven world.
Adam Klein, Certified Integral Coach® and Managing Director, New Ventures West
Utilize Employee Assistance Programs
The impact of Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) cannot be overstated in enhancing the team’s well-being through provisions for diverse challenges. Through counseling and financial guidance, these valuable resources empower staff to navigate personal and occupational stressors effectively.
In my observation, employees are more likely to preempt any mounting issues when they have a trustworthy avenue to address their concerns confidentially, consequently curbing distress levels while heightening satisfaction on the job. EAPs feature prominently as an essential constituent within our wellness scheme that guarantees personnel receive adequate support vital for success both privately and work-wise.
Jason Marshall, CMO & Executive P&L Leader, Huntress
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