2U’s new headquarters was designed to be functional and inspiring. 2U is serious about their mission and their exuberant culture is reflected throughout the space. Two full floors are dedicated to first-class amenities with a spa-like fitness center, café, servery with multiple food options, dining and a large conferencing center. A coffee bar on the ground floor greets employees upon arrival with a monumental stair that connects the two amenity levels. Further reinforcing their inclusive culture, the fitness center and other restrooms feature gender-neutral facilities. Image by Connie Zhou.
Wellbeing in the workplace means more cake for everyone. Yes, you read that correctly! We don’t actually mean the sugary treat served at weddings and birthday parties. We are referring to the outdated beliefs that misrepresent wellbeing in the workplace as a zero-sum game: if employees get a slice of cake (in this case, wellbeing), organizations will get less. There is staggering evidence that shows the opposite is true: more wellbeing equals more cake for everyone.
The business case is clear. Investing in the wellbeing of your people improves the bottom line and boosts employee retention and attraction. There is a reason that workplace wellness is a $6 billion industry in the United States. Neuroeconomist, TED speaker and author Paul Zak and his research team found evidence that happy employees are not only more productive but are also more innovative and contribute more to an organization’s bottom line. Gallup reports that organizations with highly satisfied, engaged employees experience 37 percent lower absenteeism, 21 percent higher productivity, and 10 percent higher customer satisfaction. These are just two examples demonstrating that employees who feel well and cared for at work are more committed to their organizations and more engaged in their roles. They also build stronger relationships with clients, helping their organizations grow.
Unfortunately, the zero-sum mindset persists among many theorists and business leaders. We have learned that the most successful approach to addressing these misconceptions is to examine both the individual and organizational benefits with our clients. Having an honest discussion about the mutual benefits of workplace wellbeing requires a clear understanding of what it means for their culture and how it can impact individuals and the organization in mutually beneficial ways.