In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, boards of directors are more than just stewards of governance—they are the strategic compass guiding an organization toward enduring success. As the challenges facing companies grow increasingly complex, from disruptive technological trends to shifting societal expectations, the board's role has never been more critical.
This series is designed to empower board members with the insights and tools necessary to navigate change with confidence. Our experts, each a leader in their respective field, will share real-world examples, practical frameworks, actionable advice in a Q&A format, and lessons learned from their personal and professional journeys.
Employee well-being: The key to a productive and healthy workforce
Our board leadership series begins with BerryDunn’s Workforce and Well-being practice lead, Vienna Morrill, who shares insight on how well-being programs can contribute to a thriving workforce.
Q: What’s the most important thing that boards need to know about employee well-being?
A: A culture-first approach is essential—well-being programs and benefits are less meaningful unless employees feel empowered to use them. Leadership commitment is critical; having a visible leader championing well-being helps normalize it as part of the workday rather than as an afterthought. Manager engagement is equally important, as managers must understand the value of well-being and take responsibility for fostering it within their teams. Importantly, well-being cannot be just an HR initiative; it requires active participation from leaders, managers, and employees themselves. An organization’s well-being strategy should integrate well-being into every aspect of the employee experience, with multi-dimensional benefits that address physical, mental, social, financial, and career needs, and be aligned with broader initiatives related to employee engagement and experience. A maturity model—such as assessing your organization’s current well-being program—can further help boards identify gaps and drive continuous improvement.
Q: How do you ensure that well-being initiatives are inclusive and accessible to employees with different needs, backgrounds, and work styles?
A: Organizations need to know their people and seek input. By developing and maintaining psychological safety in the workplace, organizations are better positioned to get meaningful feedback from employees about their well-being needs and programming preferences. Psychological safety begins with an environment where people feel comfortable showing up as themselves. In today’s fast-paced world of work, this often requires greater intention around creating opportunities for people to get to know each other, develop connections, and build a sense of community.
Additionally, if you have employees or teams who are actively involved in specific diversity and inclusivity initiatives, it’s important to include them in the well-being planning process. Often, these initiatives can work hand-in-hand and be mutually beneficial. If budgets are limited, it’s best to focus on embedding well-being into the overall employer brand and employee experience before focusing extensively on “above and beyond” programs, resources, and benefits. Building a culture where well-being is viewed as a normal, expected part of work naturally supports inclusivity, helping to ensure every employee has access to the resources and support they need.
Q: For those organizations that continue to have a large remote or hybrid workforce, what are some ways to support the work-life balance of all employees?
A: The physical workplace offers valuable opportunities to showcase your well-being strategy and reinforce the culture you want to cultivate. However, when much of your workforce is remote, frequently traveling, or outside a traditional office environment, your approach should be anchored in location-agnostic programming to ensure broad reach and inclusivity. For example, focus on delivering consistent, organization-wide messaging that highlights your commitment to employee well-being, and establish clear feedback channels to surface needs and guide continuous improvement.
One of the largest challenges for remote and hybrid employees is often the blurring of boundaries between work and life. Organizations can set clear boundaries for work hours by encouraging practices such as logging off from collaboration platforms after hours and establishing norms around calendar sharing and personal time. For those in the office, creating a healthy physical environment reinforces the overall commitment to well-being. Additionally, encouraging remote employees to take stretch breaks, engage in local professional communities, or visit the office periodically for meaningful engagement can help maintain a healthy balance.
Q: How do you incorporate movement and exercise into the daily routine of employees who work at desks for long hours?
A: Encouraging movement is vital for desk-bound employees, as opportunities to step away from screens, stimulate circulation, and refresh focus are essential for physiological and psychological health. This is an area where leaders and managers can be particularly influential by modeling that it’s okay to step away from your desk – whether by openly sharing that they are taking a break for physical activity, inviting others to join them, or speaking to its importance. Organizations can promote the idea of taking assignments offline—such as walking while brainstorming or listening to podcasts during breaks—to integrate exercise into the workday. Allowing flexibility so that employees can take planned, consistent breaks to move can not only improve time management and clarity of thought but also counteract the negative effects of prolonged sitting.
Q: What are some common financial challenges employees face, and how can employers support them through education or benefits programs?
A: Financial well-being starts with ensuring fair and competitive salaries that address factors like pay equity, cost of living, and benefits affordability. Employers can further support their teams by offering resources, tailored education, and benefits that assist with managing debt, saving for the future, and mitigating financial stress. A holistic approach might include personalized financial counseling, credit and debt management resources, and incentives such as matching student loan repayments through 401(k) contributions. Additionally, employers should make sure that employees are aware of and know how to access online tools and resources integral to their existing benefit platforms, empowering them to make informed financial decisions.
About Vienna
Vienna has long valued well-being, a passion born from early struggles with focus, fatigue, and depression that spurred her to explore how lifestyle habits impact both physical and mental vitality. Through a journey of personal growth, she discovered that nurturing the body with proper nutrition, hydration, sleep, and exercise could transform everyday energy and resilience. Over time, her perspective broadened to include the importance of community, meaningful relationships, and living authentically in alignment with one’s values. In her previous work as an IT Management Consultant, she observed that even routine technical challenges carried deep human implications, reinforcing her belief that employee well-being is a dynamic, personalized pursuit. Combining personal insights with professional experience, she has become a strong advocate for fostering holistic well-being in the workplace, convinced that a healthier team is the key to sustained business success.
BerryDunn partners with organizations to create work environments where business success and personal growth coexist and where people are confident knowing their workplace positively contributes to their well-being. We take a comprehensive approach to our workforce and well-being work, considering how business needs, organizational capacity, and the employee experience work together to drive your business forward. Learn more about our team and services.
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