Elilta, First Consult’s passionate Wellness Officer, is a champion for employee well-being. Her background in psychology fuels her dedication to fostering a thriving and supportive work environment. With a wealth of experience in mental health, counseling, and organisational development, Elilta leads the charge in developing innovative wellness initiatives that prioritize employee health and happiness. In this article she explores how First Consult is leading by example in workplace wellness and encourages other organizations to follow suit.
The professional environment is evolving, with workplace wellness leading the way to put employees first. This isn’t just an HR trend – it’s essential to what makes great companies thrive. Workplace wellness, or corporate wellbeing, blends health-promoting activities and organisational policies that foster employees’ growth, covering physical, mental, and financial well-being.
Globally, organisations like Deloitte and McKinsey are exemplars in this field, offering comprehensive wellbeing programmes. Deloitte’s initiatives support employees mentally, physically, and financially, while McKinsey adopts a holistic wellness approach implementing interventions at all four levels: individual, job, team, and organisation. Google sets a high standard with onsite wellness centres and one-to-one financial coaching, demonstrating how prioritising workplace wellness cultivates thriving teams.
The Power of Workplace Wellness
Comprehensive wellness programmes can:
Foster a positive morale and culture by demonstrating care for employees’ well-being and encouraging them to prioritize their health.
Boost employee health by promoting sustainable, healthy habits, reducing long-term health issues.
Enhance productivity and engagement by fostering team activities that build a sense of community.
Reduce absenteeism as healthier employees require less time off for stress-related or preventable illnesses.
Attract and Retain Top Talent by creating a positive work environment that promotes employee satisfaction and loyalty.
Ethiopia’s Path to Workplace Wellness
Workplace wellness is a relatively new concept in corporate Ethiopia, but recent initiatives and advocacy efforts are raising awareness. At the 2024 Ethiopian Great Run Gala Dinner, expert Aletheia Conway-Hughes emphasized the importance of corporate wellness to more than a100 organisational leaders.[1] The ILO’s ‘Shared Responsibility’ model aims to improve worker well-being in the garment sector, [2] while UNICEF’s training programme for over 238 healthcare workers underlines the focus on mental resilience. [3]
Leading by Example
First Consult is one of the trailblazers in this movement, with a dedicated wellness professional and continuous update on wellness initiatives. This commitment is not just a one-time initiative; it serves to inform FC’s organizational culture. First Consult is currently implementing:
- Employee Assistance Programmes
- Onsite one-to-one consultations
- Group reflection sessions
- Mental health awareness creations
- Mindfulness workshops
- Gym Membership Discounts and quarterly “Wellness Leave” initiatives to encourage physical health and well-being.
- Comprehensive Health and Life Insurance covering various medical needs.
- Professional Development Opportunities through internal learning sessions and an Employee Education Sponsorship Programme.
- Support for Major Life Events with financial assistance and leave for bereavement and weddings.
- Support for women through dedicated nursing breaks for working mothers.
- Sick Leave policies that enable employees to manage common health concerns.
