Recession mindset: evidence in workplace massagesAvoiding a Recession State of Mind in the Workplace
Despite government guarantees and market bounce backs in recent days, for many workplaces a pessimistic outlook may have already set in. Talk of a recession can spread fear and uncertainty amongst staff and concerns about headcount and salary freezes are only heightening employee anxiety.
As the largest corporate massage company in Australia, 3 Minute Angels is in a privileged position to observe the way businesses are responding to the economic crisis and what plans they have for maintaining staff morale.
“From what we’ve seen in the last few weeks, businesses are trying to stave off any feelings of job anxiety amongst their staff now. Budgets are being spent on staff in advance and that’s probably because they don’t feel confident the same budget will be there in the future,” says Andrew Ward, CEO of 3 Minute Angels. “Our business is just one of many in the massage industry experiencing this change in buyer behaviour and whilst it is good news in the short term, we will be relying on those budgets that our clients fear will be cut for our future work.”
It is estimated that the average cost to replace an employee is equivalent to 65% of annual salary. Even at an average salary cost equivalent to the average wage, this is $24,515 per departing employee and that’s without considering the on costs of losing good people! Given the expense associated with high turnover, savvy businesses understand that staff wellbeing is not an area they can ignore over the next twelve months.
“Businesses know it costs a lot more to hire new staff down the track than it does to simply boost the morale and overall health of current employees, says Ward. “Our clients have made the decision to use the budget they’ve got now to set up regular 3 Minute Angels visits knowing the positive effects our products will have on a whole team’s outlook.”
Dr Tim Sharp from the Happiness Institute knows how important positive psychology is to the success of a business during economic hardship.
“Happiness in the workplace has been proven to be associated with higher levels of productivity, team work, better retention rates and lower turnover.”
However, he says positive psychology affects more than just staff retention.
“It’s also about making staff resilient to hardship. Happiness is about more than just laughter and giggles. By taking steps to ensure happiness in their workplace, businesses are helping to breed resilience in their staff during the difficult times.”
How does 3 Minute Angels help workplaces help achieve this?
“While there are the obvious benefits of massage to the individual – it de-stresses and revitalises the body and releases chemicals that positively affect mood – collectively, the regular experience of having the 3 Minute Angels come in, helps staff to feel united and confident that they’re being appreciated. From our regular visits to clients, 3 Minute Angels has been able to observe changes in the mood and outlook of entire offices. Our clients know that if they can avoid a recession state of mind amongst staff then they will be in a much better position to weather the financial storm,” says Andrew Ward.
To request an interview with Andrew Ward or for more information on 3 Minute Angels products call 1300 66 20 22 or visit www.3minuteangels.com.
To find out more about the Happiness Institute visit http://www.thehappinessinstitute.com/.
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