A few minutes later, in answer to a question about programs that have been controversial, the H.R. Director talked about the backlash from requiring employees to be weighed by company representatives for health and wellness programs.
How can a company that promotes health and wellness to the extent of requiring weigh-ins also provide fat-laden treats to promote workplace culture? The two actions do not match and do not provide a clear, cohesive corporate identity.
Workplace culture lives in the invisible portion of the iceberg, the part submerged under water. The words many organizations plaster on their posters and mission statements live in the tip above the waterline for everyone to see. The essence of the organization, however, is forged beneath the surface where influence and meaning are anchored. When day-to-day actions match up with the stated vision, employees and culture sing in harmony. Wellness takes many forms – lifestyle, health, learning and, perhaps above all, the way we choose to conduct our interpersonal exchanges.
Communication is an action verb that has valence. We either strengthen or weaken our partners with every interaction. Wellness is more than nutrition and exercise. Wellness lives in the practice of civility, kindness, listening, supporting, challenging, and energizing. Wellness is something we give to others before it becomes something we get.
Tip the scale of your workplace culture. Find balance by matching the visible part of the iceberg with the portion submerged. Make your actions fit your words. In other words, if you’re going to weigh your employees, perhaps provide apples instead of donuts.
