The Perks Of Purpose

The post-pandemic mindset is one of re-evaluated priorities, wellbeing and purpose. One year on from national pandemic lockdowns and the shift into remote work, many employers and employees alike are rethinking what work means to them, how they are valued, and how they spend their time. Work is no longer being seen as limited to paying the bills, with perceptions shifting to appreciate the need for work to accommodate life.

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Purpose Fuels Passion

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There’s no denying that the pandemic has given many of us an opportunity to reconsider workplace practices, values and meaning. Given the widespread acknowledgement that health is the real wealth, the focus is now moving away from traditional workplace incentives such as higher salaries and better bonuses in exchange for longer hours; and more towards greater work-life balance and holistic benefits.

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The way we work is clearly changing, but so are the reasons why. It’s increasingly being recognised that the Friedman model of capitalism alongside its depiction of the rational ‘Homo Economicus’ driven by a selfish gene is outdated and reductionist. A new paradigm acknowledges the emergent properties of a systems component parts. It signifies that man is by nature collaborative and co-operative in the right environment, and when viewed under the multilevel, multidimensional lens adopted by a multi-disciplinary approach.

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As the environment shifts into a state more conducive to harnessing these innate sentiments, people’s natural internal motivators are being leveraged to drive more meaning and purpose, and therefore fulfilment, at work. Nowhere is that more clear cut than amongst the ranks of the B Corporation network - contractually committed to bettering both people and planet alongside profit.

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Factors such as being able to move out of expensive cities into greener, neighbouring areas with lower overheads have contributed to the mindset shift from quantity to quality. In a new normal where health is wealth, a passionate purpose is taking centre stage, and the effects are rippling out not just into the economic sphere, but also the social, mental and environmental.

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Profitable Perks

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So how can employers ensure they don’t get left behind, while catering to the benefits of a newly motivated workforce? Holistic approaches to fostering workplace wellness are already well under way - from the autonomy and balance that a hybrid, remote approach to the office provides, to the addition of greater access to benefits and perks.

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We're living in the largest shift in ‘how we work’ in our generation. Perks that worked before COVID are now a thing of the past. Employees need more support from their organisations to help them shift their families, communities, and lives to the new normal. Meanwhile, employers are feeling the pressure to deliver on an employee experience that know their employees deserve.

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The pandemic affected many businesses of all sizes economically. However providing perks is a great way to ensure profitability indirectly. Workforce wellbeing is at the heart of company performance - when people feel and live better, they do better. Meaning that improving workplace practices to ensure better physical and mental health is one of the simplest and most efficient means of creating all-round positive change for employees, business and society.

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According to some studies, 69% of employees say having a wider array of benefits would increase loyalty to their employer, and 74% of employees are concerned about at least one aspect of their well-being as a result of the virus. As everyone is different, the best solutions will be personalised. A Deloitte study of 10,000 people showed that a lack of work autonomy and flexibility is the most likely reason a millennial would quit their job.

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Therefore beyond financial gain, more and more employees are appreciating and requesting the benefits of flexible hours, remote work, wellbeing platforms, social events, family time and the freedom to pursue their passions. For employers, fuelling the passion behind purpose creates a win-win. Employees who report that their job has a “special meaning: this is not 'just a job'“ are 4 times more likely to give extra, 11 times more committed to staying with their organisations and are 14 times more likely to look forward to coming to work than employees at peer companies.

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The Post-Pandemic Mindset

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Since its inception, this holistic approach to work and life has been at the core of spaces such as x+why. With an extensive range of benefits to choose from, ensuring that your workforce are taken care of has never been easier or provided greater returns. Gone are the days of lengthy legal agreements and bureaucratic contracts, flexible office providers such as x+why space offer fully-furnished solutions built with wellbeing and purpose in mind, for a relatively flexible and low cost monthly fee.

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X+why partner with leading experts such as Betterspace to deliver cutting edge, personalised solutions that are science and evidence-backed. This makes putting wellbeing at the heart of your company both efficient and economical. Betterspace give you personalised recommendations based on 6 pillars – Sleep, Stress Management, Social Connections, Exercise, Helping Others, Meaningful Activity, and Nutrition.

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Just as in healthcare, the world of work is uncovering that there is ‘no one size fits all’ approach to workplace best practices. Given that we are all genetically unique, with a diverse array of contextual circumstances affecting our lifestyles and life choices, solutions cannot be prescriptively one dimensional.

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After a long year of working from home, access to social events, fitness classes and discounts and offers on a private members portal are all strong incentives for a return to the office. For example x+why hold regular members breakfasts for residents to get to know each-other, group running sessions during the week, and partner with select brands to extend exclusive deals and discounts on sustainable, purpose-driven products and experiences.

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The prevailing predisposition for purpose means that the future looks bright - creating enterprises and societies that are focused on advancing more than just the bottom line. And the B Corporation movement has come to signal the gold-standard of what it means to incorporate all of community, employees, environment, customers and governance into the integrative mix.

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With an increasing number of SMEs taking the lead when it comes to making health central to the workplace revolution, the re-opening of the office is cause for celebration. From finding more meaning and purpose through work, to fostering community and adjusting workspace practices, there’s never been a better time to join such a progressive space.

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x+why give every member free access to Betterspace. Find out how you can join today.

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