“Viewpoint” is a new series of opinion posts from WorkSync that spotlight our take on the big ideas affecting today’s workforce and businesses.

“Wellness.”

It’s a word you hear with increasing frequency these days, in many different spheres, but what does it really mean? Most obviously, wellness brings to mind the idea of physical and mental health, and that’s not wrong. Yet when it comes to the workforce, wellness can actually mean a whole lot more.

The COVID-19 pandemic — and its effect on our collective well-being — has driven employers and employees alike to begin focusing on wellness as never before. It’s no longer enough for workers to simply do their jobs and receive a paycheck; they want, and deserve, to thrive as individuals.

So the question is: Even once the coronavirus is behind us, how can we feel better, be better, and do better, as both leaders and team members? How can we find meaningful ways to strive toward greater wellness for all?

The place to start is with safety. Going forward, we need to ensure that we’re taking all the necessary steps to keep our workplaces safe and protect thehealth of our employees. More personal space, touchless time clocks, electronic health surveys: Whatever the methods, we have to rethink how we set up our workspaces and how they function, so that safety — from COVID-19 or any future health hazard — is always the first priority.

What about work-life balance? That’s a key aspect of wellness, too. And therise of remote work during the pandemic has changed the game. Can we offer our teams more flexibility in terms of where and how they work (in industries where this is possible)? Can we foster a hybrid workforce that moves fluidly between at-home and in-person labor? As we guide this transition, we must make sure we’re giving our employees the tools they need to succeed and stay engaged, whatever their location may be.

Financial wellness is no less critical. This is a time of heightened financial insecurity for millions of Americans, even those who are still working. What can we do to help? We can provide our employees with innovative options like wage advance, which allows them to receive instant payment for hours they’ve already worked, and empower them through financial coaching and education. These resources can make a big difference.

Finally, there’s overall physical and mental well-being — what’s most commonly meant by “wellness.” Are we equipping our teams with tools to help them flourish as human beings? This could include everything from gym memberships and yoga instruction to mindfulness apps and resilience training. Can we go beyond the traditional job benefits — health insurance, a 401(k) — to nurture our employees’ whole selves?

In the business world, if there’s any silver lining to the COVID-19 crisis, it’s this new and inspiring emphasis on the wellness of our workforce. Let’s keep it up, even after the pandemic subsides. Together, let’s work toward wellness.

WorkSync offers leading workforce management solutions for your organization. Learn more and request a demo today at worksync.com.