20 tips to boost employee wellness and lower absentee rates

If staff members are unhappy and burnout, lean into these expert strategies to increase their morale and strengthen team relations.

Employee workplace winter blues are more common than not - especially after the holiday season ends and spring seems so far off. But if employee disengagement continues to linger, or workflow patterns are lagging, there may be more going on than meets the eye that a leader must address.

Employee wellness should actually begin from the top down, with leadership teams demonstrating their commitment to improving the entire organization’s culture. To encourage a positive mindset and regain trust, 20 Fast Company Executive Board members each share a strategy to promote employee wellness and reduce absenteeism on the job.

HOST EARLY MORNING MANAGER COFFEE CHATS.

I’ve noticed that people aren’t absent on town hall days when senior management speaks directly to the whole team. So a great way to encourage engagement while reducing absenteeism is to host manager coffees about half an hour before the typical start of a workday. Managers can rotate and offer this perk for those willing to show up a little early to talk shop. As a bonus, you can serve coffee too. - Arar Han, Sabot Family Companiesve got an issue. The solution is to ask, “Why are you late? What’s going on?” - Arar Han, Sabot Family Companies

Extract from: 20 tips to boost employee wellness and lower absentee rates published on FAST COMPANY EXECUTIVE BOARD | 01-27-2025