Executive Education White Paper

Well-Being at Work: Why Has it Become the Strategic Issue for Companies?

With Almudena Cañibano Associate Professor at ESCP Business School

Almudena Cañibano looks at why well-being at work should be a central issue for companies who wish to increase the motivation, efficiency, creativity and loyalty of their employees.

As if we needed more proof of how important physical and mental health are for staff, the recent crisis further highlighted this reality as employees struggled to remain flexible, withstand ressure and work remotely.

Companies now state it loud and clear: their employees’ health and safety is a priority. According to recent studies, the actions French organisations have implemented in this area have been limited to relaxation, sport, and work-life balance.

The influence of work itself on employee well-being is frequently overlooked, even though ill-being generates significant costs and well-being offers a potential performance driver for companies. Not only are fulfilled employees less frequently absent and sick, they are also more motivated, efficient, creative and loyal.

Nevertheless, although it might be easy for a company to recognise the importance of human capital, it is not so obvious to know how to take care of it. How can the concept of well-being at work be understood in all its complexity? What are the associated indicators and how can it be practically managed? How can it be reconciled with the company’s performance? What are the impacts in terms of management?

Almudena Cañibano provides answers to all these questions. Her research focuses on the effects of new working methods on workers' well-being.

This white paper is part of a series entitled “Leaders for the Future”, produced by ESCP Business School Executive Education, that addresses the needs of companies and professionals so that they can thrive in the face of challenges and a rapidly shifting business landscape.