10 Bad Habits that Should Be Banned from the Workplace
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Don't Put Work Before Your Health
If you aren't healthy, you can't get anything done and you won't be there for your colleagues, friends and family when they need you — especially if you are affected by chronic health issues. A global survey of business executives conducted by the World Economic Forum and the Harvard School of Public Health from 2009 to 2011 identified non-communicable diseases as one of the leading threats to global economic growth.
Instead:
Make your health a priority, and start by building time in your calendar to work out, to relax or do something that gives you energy and sparks your personal passion.
Why?
Healthy workers are more productive. The most obvious benefits to the bottom line are the avoidance of health care costs, but companies that make investments in employee health and wellbeing are also seeing increases in creativity, engagement, productivity and, as a result, business growth. Being our emotional, physical and mental best is foundational to doing our best work. It's time to get our priorities straight, and make worker health and wellbeing a foundation for good business, not just a "nice to have."
As technology has evolved and more and more work is completed using computers, many workers have found themselves in sedentary office jobs. Leigh Stringer, author of "The Healthy Workplace," says it's not that we aren't working hard, but that "what our minds and bodies need at a basic level is in conflict with our work style. We are so focused on work, on getting things done, that we've changed the way we eat, move and sleep in a way that is actually counter-productive."
According to Stringer, taking care of worker health and wellbeing is one of the most effective ways to increase employee productivity and engagement. As an example, think back to a night when you got a full night's sleep and compare that to a night when you stayed out a bit too late with friends. How did you feel the morning after your night with friends? Probably not bright-eyed and bushy tailed, ready to take on the challenges of the day. It's important to put your health first, as everything hinges on that baseline.
So what are some of those unhealthy habits that we need to break? In this slideshow, Ms. Stringer offers up a comprehensive list of the "don'ts," with suggestions on what to do instead.
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