Organizational well-being

What is meant by Organizational Well-being?

Organizational well-being refers to the optimal condition of physical, mental, and emotional health of an individual within the work context. It is a broad concept that encompasses various aspects, including job satisfaction, the quality of workplace relationships, work-life balance, and overall physical and psychological health.

Dimensions of Organizational Well-being:

• Physical Health: Refers to the individual’s physical condition while performing their duties. A safe work environment, proper ergonomics, regular breaks, and incentives for a healthy lifestyle contribute to physical health.
• Mental HealthWhat is meant by mental health? According to the World Healt... More: Psychological well-being is crucial for sustainable productivity. Emotional balance, stressWhat is stress? From a clinical perspective, stress is a phy... More management, and the ability to handle challenges and pressures are key aspects of mental well-being.
• Job Satisfaction: Feeling satisfied with one’s work is fundamental for workplace well-being. Job satisfaction includes a sense of self-efficacyWhen facing the daily challenges we must confront, sometimes... More, recognition of one’s efforts, and gratification from achieving results.
• Work Environment: A positive, inclusive, and collaborative work environment promotes well-being. Effective communication, support from colleagues and leadership, and a climate of trust are essential elements of a favorable environment.
• Work-Life Balance: Finding a balance between work responsibilities and personal life is essential to prevent burnoutBurnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaus... More and promote overall well-being. Flexible working hours and remote work policies can help achieve this balance.
• Professional Development: Opportunities to grow professionally and acquire new skills are an integral part of workplace well-being. Access to training and development opportunities fosters motivationMotivation: a scientific perspective Motivation is a fundame... More and engagement.
• Stress Management: The ability to effectively handle pressures, challenges, and stressful situations. Stress management programs, relaxation techniques, and meditationThere are many ways to define meditation, but perhaps the si... More can be implemented to improve this dimension.

Benefits of Organizational Well-being:

Investing in organizational well-being brings numerous advantages for both individuals and organizations. Employees who feel well at work tend to be more engaged, motivated, and productive. This can lead to reduced absenteeism and turnover, as well as an improved overall organizational climate. Companies that promote organizational well-being also demonstrate greater social responsibility and a stronger corporate reputation.

In summary, organizational well-being represents a crucial goal to ensure a healthy, sustainable, and productive work environment that considers the needs and aspirations of employees.

Organizational Well-being and Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Abraham Maslow, the American psychologist famous for his “Hierarchy of Needs” theory, made significant contributions to understanding organizational well-being through his perspective on human motivation and the satisfaction of needs. Within the context of organizational well-being, Maslow emphasized the importance of meeting a series of fundamental needs to create a work environment that fosters overall employee well-being. According to his theory, people seek to satisfy their needs in a hierarchical sequence. This hierarchy includes the following needs:

1. Physiological Needs: These are basic needs such as food, water, rest, and physical safety. An organization that provides a safe work environment, healthy working conditions, and the ability to meet employees’ basic physical needs contributes to their organizational well-being.
2. Safety Needs: Includes the need for stability, financial security, long-term employment, and a threat-free work environment. An organization that offers job stability and supports employees during periods of change or uncertainty contributes to their well-being.
3. Social Needs: Refers to the desire for belonging, friendshipEven though rudimentary forms of friendship are present in v... More, and social interaction. A workplace that promotes positive relationships among employees, provides collaboration opportunities, and fosters a sense of belonging can improve organizational well-being.
4. Esteem Needs: These include the pursuit of respect, self-esteemThe term self-esteem literally refers to the evaluation of o... More, recognition, and success. An organization that recognizes and rewards employee achievements, provides opportunities for professional growth, and encourages active participation can positively influence well-being.
5. Self-Actualization Needs: These are the needs for personal growth and reaching one’s potential. An organization that allows employees to pursue aspirations, work on challenging projects, and contribute meaningfully can promote their organizational well-being.

Maslow argued that satisfying these fundamental needs can lead to a sense of fulfillment and well-being at both individual and organizational levels. In other words, organizations that focus on creating an environment that supports the satisfaction of these needs can benefit from more engaged, motivated, and productive employees.

Regulatory References (Ministry of Education and Merit)

• Legislative Decree No. 81 of 2008 introduced the obligation to assess work-related stress risks. This is the so-called “Consolidated Act on health and safety protection in the workplace.”
• Legislative Decree No. 150 of 2009 assigned Internal Evaluation Bodies (OIV) the task of conducting surveys on organizational well-being.
• Directive No. 3 of 2017 of the Prime Minister providing guidelines for the implementation of paragraphs 1 and 2 of Article 14 of Law No. 124 of 2015, and guidelines containing rules regarding work organization aimed at promoting work-life balance for employees.