Is your workplace a toxic one?

If you’re in search of signs of a toxic work environment, you likely know your workplace is harmful.

​With workers coming back into the office and interacting in person again, it's easier to see ​where bad habits and behaviors may come back into play. It is the job of HR and leadership to tackle toxic behaviors in the workplace ASAP.  

While it’s normal for colleagues to disagree from time to time or get snappy sometimes, it’s not okay for that to be ongoing. Additionally, unhealthy behaviors like harassment, bullying, and ostracism can take a toll on employees’ health and wellness.

Here are the signs of a toxic work environment to keep in mind and rectify as soon as possible.

Healthy workers don’t just appear.

It takes resources, knowledge, and investment for employees to maintain their well-being.

Unfortunately, some may be way behind the starting line for healthy activities, knowledge, and well-being resources, making it feel like an unreachable goal. This may be the result of a term called Social Determinants of Health (SDOH), which includes the environmental conditions people are exposed to regularly through work, play, and more.

In fact, social determinants have a huge impact on health outcomes, especially for vulnerable populations.

That’s why making the workplace a safer, more inclusive environment can make all the difference to workers, especially for those who may not have equal access to healthcare and well-being options.

Below, we share all you need to know about SDOH, what it means to companies, how it impacts well-being, and practical strategies to ensure your company isn’t missing the mark.

What do healthy boundaries at work look like?

For some company cultures that thrive on fast and furious work ethic, boundaries often fail to exist. Employees may be expected to pick up their phone at all hours of the night; break times are unheard of or not implemented, and more.

​Setting boundaries can be a challenging and uncomfortable move for many leaders and even their employees. But, in order to have a thriving work environment, it's a must to keep both bad behavior and other bad habits in check. It also keeps the workplace healthier and a safe place for other employees to thrive in.

This post takes a look at the importance of boundaries, why they matter at work, and ways to uphold them even when it’s hard.

Have you been debating about jumping on the Wellness Wednesday wagon? If it feels like too big of a commitment — every Wednesday?! — rest assured it doesn’t have to be as overwhelming as you might think!

Wellness Wednesday ideas can be as simple as dashing off an email with some health-related articles or as time-consuming as an all-day health seminar.

The choice is yours.

But no matter how you look at it, Wellness Wednesdays are an excellent idea. It’s a fun way to promote well-being in the workplace and offers your employees microdoses of wellness ideas each and every week.

Below, we dig into what it is, why it’s beneficial for the workplace, and even a few ideas to get you kickstarted.

Want to make a healthier and positive work environment?

Research shows when leadership puts effort into creating a positive work environment, it benefits both the workers and the company. A third of most people’s lives are spent working, leaving no doubt that the working environment plays a huge role in health and well-being.

Good health = good business. Happy employees also = good business.

It’s a two-way street that leaders play a huge role in. If your company is ready to revamp its health offerings or simply spend more time focusing on employee well-being, that’s a perfect first step.

Here are nine more steps to consider as you reevaluate what a positive work environment looks like for your company.

March is National Nutrition Month and an excellent time to talk about healthy eating.

Not only that, it’s a great way to spread awareness about a healthy lifestyle and smart dieting in the workplace.

Given that 42 percent of Americans are considered obese, it’s essential to tackle this topic in workplace health programs. Obesity leads to serious, chronic health issues like heart disease, diabetes, and even some cancers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

For workplaces, this can lead to issues with employee absences, increased healthcare costs, and lowered productivity.

Below, explore 21 unique and fun ways to talk about nutrition this month!

Employee Appreciation Day is an event, observed on the first Friday in March.

If you know your staff is tuckered out and overwhelmed, it’s wise to show up big for Employee Appreciation Day and beyond.

A recent ResumeBuilder.com report indicated that a quarter of Americans plan on exiting the workforce in 2022. While reasons someone leaves a job are personal, it’s all the more important for employers to ensure they are regularly offering gratitude to workers — not just on appreciation days.

If you’re looking for fun, healthy ways to show employees they are valued and appreciated, this blog is for you!

Read on for unique options that show your team you’re thankful for their work.

It’s the height of the cold and flu season. If you’re good at listening to your body, though, you can learn how to prevent the common cold when you feel it coming. Or, at the very least, do your best to lessen the symptoms.

Colds are sneaky: you’re fine one day, and then you’re feeling terrible the next. But sometimes, you can feel the tell-tale signs over a period of a few days: a stuffy nose, a scratchy throat, watery eyes, and fatigue seemingly come out of nowhere.

If you haven’t gotten a cold this season, don’t think you’re off the hook just yet. Most adults average two to three colds annually and February is the peak time to catch one, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

To help you escape cold-free this season, here’s how to prevent a cold when you feel it coming.

In case you missed it, February is American Heart Month!

Throughout the month, look at all the ways your company can encourage employees to work on their cardiovascular health. Sadly, heart disease is still the leading cause of death in the United States.

If your company wants to drive the point home, consider the heart-healthy policies, changes, and encouragement that can be offered to employees. Chances are, your wellness committee has missed opportunities for promoting heart health. Your company may even be making some critical mistakes when it comes to healthier employee hearts.

Want to know how to create a more heart-healthy atmosphere?

Here’s a look at how to honor American Heart Month in your workplace and tips for making valuable changes that can change lives, too.

Now that it’s a new year, it’s time to consider the ways you can help your employees stay healthy all year long.

A biometric screening in the workplace is one way to do that. These screenings are one of the simplest ways employers can encourage workers to get a quick health check-up. While it can’t replace a doctor’s visit, it can provide useful insight your doc can analyze at your next visit.

If you’ve ever wondered what exactly a biometric screening covers, this post is for you.

Below, you’ll learn just what is included in a biometric screening and we’ll share data from real employees we screened last year.