What happens when you revamp your organization’s benefits to include everything your employees need to thrive—yet they still seem dissatisfied, unmotivated, and disconnected?
The media says the problem lies in your compensation thresholds being too low to match the output of your employees, causing them to “act their wage” rather than go above and beyond.
But the actual solution can’t be found in a pay raise or bonus. Instead, it can be traced back to one key driver of workplace satisfaction and wellbeing that may be lacking in your organization.
We’re talking about employee engagement—and whether your organization’s wellness program is hitting the mark on helping employees rediscover their purpose, motivation, and passion.
Tracing “Act Your Wage” Back to Employee Engagement
Contrary to popular belief, “acting your wage” isn’t about doing the bare minimum to get by at work. It’s a signal that your employees are aligning the amount of energy they put into their daily work with the salary they receive—and avoiding extra work that falls outside of their roles without proper compensation.
This is a stark contrast to the typical hustle culture mindset that supposedly drives many young employees to become innovative leaders—often at the expense of their own wellbeing. But it’s not about employees lacking ambition or demanding unreasonable pay bumps.
In reality, employees act their wage after putting in months or even years of hard work without sufficient recognition or support.
That’s not to say finances aren’t to blame for employees’ growing disengagement at work. With everyday living expenses seemingly surging by the day, employees require even more money just to get by.
Without personalized financial wellness resources, education, and support to address their unique needs, employees succumb to insurmountable levels of financial stress, anxiety, and work burnout.
The Newest Iteration of Quiet Quitting?
If this seems familiar, that’s because it’s an age-old problem under a new moniker. Quiet quitting gave a name to a rising epidemic of disengagement, and acting your wage is giving even more clarity to a deeply ingrained wellbeing issue in the workplace.
Because employee wellbeing is multifaceted, it’s not enough to simply increase wages and hope employees rediscover their drive. Ensuring your wellness program possesses the infrastructure and resources to support employees wherever they are in their financial (and larger wellness) journey is key to saving engagement, tracking progress in real time, and getting the most out of your wellness investment.
From Bare Minimum to Above and Beyond: 3 Ways To Effectively Motivate Employees
Once you discover what your wellness program needs to re-engage your workforce, you can back up your efforts with external workplace changes that can take your wellness strategy to the next level. Coupling the resources, activities, and incentives provided in your wellness platform with an inviting workplace environment are the two ingredients needed to uplift your employees’ satisfaction and engagement.
Here are three things you can do to match the caliber of your workplace to your wellness program:
1. Think Ergonomic and Inclusive
Creating an inviting workplace environment is crucial for amplifying employee engagement and satisfaction.
Start by promoting a clean, well-organized work environment with ergonomic furniture and equipment. Sensory-friendly spaces, like quiet areas, are a great addition to in-person work environments, as they encourage greater productivity and optimal comfort.
Additionally, it’s essential to foster an inclusive company culture where employees feel valued, respected, and included. When an organization demonstrates its commitment to the total wellbeing of its employees, those employees feel more empowered and motivated to contribute.
2. Prioritize Professional Development
Investing in career growth and development is an organic way to help employees rediscover their passions. Outfitting your wellness program with opportunities for continuous learning and educational courses is a seamless and accessible way to help employees develop new skills and advance in their careers.
From an external lens, regular performance reviews and constructive feedback are also essential for helping employees understand their strengths and areas for improvement. When employees see that their employers are invested in their development, they are more likely to go above and beyond.
3. Fine-Tune Your Financial Wellness Library
Financial stress can be a distraction for anyone, regardless of income or lifestyle. However, it can be difficult to effectively address each individual’s varying levels of financial wellbeing and ensure everyone receives the support they need.
That’s why it’s imperative to choose a wellness platform that can house a fully fleshed out library of financial resources—from advisor-led retirement planning workshops to personal budgeting challenges that help employees plan for a healthier financial future. Promoting your wellness program as a central hub of financial wellbeing gives employees incentive to take control of their relationship with money, helping them feel more in control of their health and wellbeing.
Unlock the Secret to Employee Engagement
WellRight’s holistic wellness program gives you everything you need to elevate your employee engagement. Designed to reduce stress, promote health, and foster a positive work environment, our multifaceted program has the bandwidth to ensure every employee has what they need to feel supported and valued.
Are you ready to see the difference for yourself? Request a demo today.
