We continue to face challenges related to mental health following the social, economic, and political turbulence of recent years. This has led to a decline in creativity and efficiency at work. It also exacerbates tensions and stress, often leading to conflicts within teams and even burnout. As indicated by Hays Poland research, one in three employees has experienced a deterioration in mental health due to the pandemic.

Due to a worse mood, businesses lose up to 36 days of work per employee per year, according to the authors of the Mental Wellbeing of Employees in Poland 2021 report. It is crucial not only to support treatment but also to invest in promoting the well-being of employees. Therefore, instead of the Great Resignation, as sociologists call it, we want to focus on the Great Reflection, which involves providing our office spaces with values and purpose, engaging employees, and building relationships among them.

One of the key trends regarding the future of work, listed in Gartner’s report, is the healing of employees, which will lead to greater engagement and effectiveness. As emphasized by Caitlin Duffy, Research Director in Gartner’s HR division, organizational efforts should focus on three principles:

• Employees are people, not just workers.
• Work is a subset of life, not separate from it.
• Value comes from emotions, not just attributes.

We prioritize the well-being of users in our buildings. FORM OFFICES is not just certified office spaces but an initiative for the well-being of tenants and their employees. The green areas and infrastructure in our buildings inspired us to launch the Active Club, which involves regular running and cycling sessions for the FORM OFFICES community. Supporting physical activity, providing healthy snacks, and organizing various events such as bike days contribute to the natural and intuitive integration of employees. This serves as our primary motivator to initiate an even greater number of engaging events in the ESG and well-being domain, says Agata Połeć, Asset Manager at Form Offices.

According to a survey conducted by the founders of the Mindy app, supporting the mental well-being of office teams plays a significant role today, especially since 85% of respondents claim that employees are afraid to inform their bosses about their need for support in mental well-being treatment. Almost as many, 81%, state that they also have concerns about seeking support in the area of preventive measures. As the authors of the report indicate, the possibility of seeking help or receiving a regenerative day could minimize the time the team spends on sick leave. Therefore, leveraging sensitivity is crucial as a step towards creating a well-being culture that encompasses all employees.

The pandemic and the associated economic and political instability have compelled virtually everyone to reevaluate their choices regarding work, leisure, and social capital. This is why employees are seeking to give greater value to their work. According to a report by Gartner, this is composed of five elements:

• building stronger bonds in the workplace;
• a flexible approach to where and when work is performed;
• personal development that extends beyond job tasks to encompass passions;
• a holistic approach to well-being – not just initiating but engaging and motivating;
• a sense of purpose – engaging in the life of the organization, taking action, not just declaring.

At Form Office, we focus on both the individual health of employees and the collective well-being that emanates from buildings and landscape architecture. We believe in growth, the power of community, a flexible approach to work, and actions aimed at the well-being of individuals. We ensure that these values not only adorn the walls of our office buildings but also thrive in the spaces and among our tenants.

We cannot talk about any of these values without taking care of the well-being of employees. Therefore, in 2023, we implemented three initiatives that impact people’s well-being:

• proactive rest to help employees maintain their emotional resilience and effectiveness;
• healthy refreshments and beverages to emphasize a holistic approach to well-being;
• activating employees in dedicating time to building well-being through education and social media communication.

It all starts with the idea for the company and the goals, which are later translated into the mission and vision of the organization. All of this has to be closely connected. At Form Offices, we have focused on four values that stand in contrast to hyper-productivity and workoholism. Development and well-being are core commitments of our office spaces.

As part of our wellbeing guide, we have introduced a number of wellbeing benefits. We are engaging our internal resources and initiating events and actions that create a new inter-organizational culture in which all employees, regardless of company, feel supported. We also consult with our tenants to find out what more we can do to support and improve health.

We all know how important daily physical activity is for our bodies and minds. Still, the “I don’t have time” excuse wins out in the face of busy work schedules, family obligations and social commitments. One way we are helping employees find more time to exercise is by creating sports opportunities around their workplace, the Form Offices.

Developing a regular exercise routine has an impact on well-being and efficiency at work. First, I would mention the opportunity to establish relationships outside of the formal environment. Second, there is no better way to deal with stress than physical activity. Exercise reduces cortisol levels, while movement releases endorphins that help relax the mind. Any physical activity also strengthens the heart, improves circulation and provides an instant rush of energy.

My mentees find that being part of the Active Club at Form Offices increases their efficiency while working. They point out the lightness of learning new things, sharpened memory, good concentration and creative approach to problem solving. The only challenge is just to persevere and come to the first class at 7:00 a.m. It gets easier and easier from workout to workout, and then no one can imagine not coming for a shot of good energy before work – Paulina Jach, triathlon, road cycling and mountain biking athlete, trainer at Active Club Form Offices.

Health and wellness benefits at Form Offices:

• promote physical activity through the establishment of the Form Offices Active Club in which sports activities are supported: running and cycling;
• we take care of proper hydration of the body by serving warming infusions, vitamin smoothies, healthy lemonades;
• we promote wellbeing by: 

1. flexible approach to work and spending breaks outside among the greenery;
2. creating thematic musical playlists;
3. organizing inspiring meetings with interesting people;
4. creation of groups on WhatsApp and Facebook to motivate each other and arrange joint activities.

At Form Offices, we are committed to creating an office culture where everyone, not just some, can thrive and look after their well-being. We have implemented several initiatives since we started, and we are constantly seeing an increase in employee interest in the actions we organize. From one-time participants, they are becoming regular members of sports clubs.

Our path to creating offices that support wellness is challenging, not linear and constantly evolving. We strive to make the initiatives we organize unique and tailored to the needs of tenants. We know that this is just one piece of the puzzle that creates a responsive organizational culture. In our offices, values don’t hang on the walls, but have an impact on creating a balance between work and life.