How to Support the Well-being of Your Vietnamese Employees
According to Intellect, Asia’s leading mental health care company, Vietnam ranks at the top of the list (65.09%) among other Asia-Pacific countries for workplace well-being. CultureAmp, the world’s leading employee experience platform, reported that 77% of Vietnam employees are engaged at work and 85% would recommend their company as a great place to work, as of July 2024.
On the flip side, Vietnamese respondents of a VnExpress survey noted that “excessive work and overtime” was the top cause of stress at work. Data from the International Labor Organization revealed that Vietnam had 2,320 working hours in 2023, ranking among the highest worldwide, with more hours than Indonesia, Cambodia, and Singapore.
Maintaining your employees’ well-being is a vital investment in ensuring both individual and company success. Great Place To Work®, a global leader in workplace culture, reported that employees working in companies that actively promote their well-being are three times more likely to remain and recommend the company to others.
Great Place To Work®, in collaboration with Johns Hopkins University, identified five key elements that contribute to supporting well-being in the workplace:
- Mental/emotional support – experiences and emotions that cultivate lasting mental positivity and strength
- Financial health – employees earning adequately feel financially secure without anxiety
- A sense of purpose – finding meaning, progress, and fulfilment at work
- Personal support – collaborating with colleagues who foster an environment of safety, trust, and mutual respect
- Meaningful connections – forming supportive bonds with team members and leaders to ensure an inclusive and equitable workplace
Here are proactive recommendations to help maintain the well-being of your Vietnamese employees.
1. Offer flexible work arrangements
Providing flexible work options, like a hybrid work schedule, can help employees manage their professional and personal time effectively. This can lead to reduced burnout and higher job satisfaction. Even if they’re not physically working in the office every day, empower your employees by trusting them to deliver the output that’s expected from them.
2. Assess your employees’ workload
Whilst your employees should hold themselves accountable with the tasks assigned to them, some may be struggling with their workload which may cause delays. Encourage your staff to speak up if they are having problems. Work together with them on how to manage their workload.
3. Establish an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
An effective EAP offers discreet counselling for employees experiencing stress, anxiety, or depression related to personal or workplace issues that affect their well-being. It can be conducted virtually or in person. The EAP should be responsive to employees’ concerns, whether the counsellors are in-house or provided through external suppliers.
4. Provide learning and development (L&D) programs
Getting stuck in one’s career with no skills improvement opportunities or career progression can make some employees feel unmotivated and disengaged. Offer a comprehensive L&D program that promotes their personal and professional growth. CultureAmp’s study revealed that employees who had the necessary L&D resources were 21% more engaged, which helped boost retention.
5. Offer financial assistance initiatives
A major cause of stress for employees is feeling anxious over meeting their financial obligations. Conduct financial literacy programs to help them manage their finances more responsibly. Consider offering short-term loans for employees who need immediate financial assistance for emergencies.
6. Implement health programs
Physical wellness is equally important in fostering a productive workforce. Beyond standard company health benefits, consider promoting additional initiatives such as hosting talks with dietitians, offering free on-site health check-ups, or partnering with gyms for membership discounts.
7. Join advocacy activities
Organise advocacy projects and encourage your employees to participate. Connect with environmental groups for tree-planting activities or coastal clean-ups. Make it more sustainable by practising eco-friendly initiatives in the office. Create a more inclusive workplace by holding diversity training workshops. This promotes positive change in the workplace and improves morale.
8. Respect your employees’ time-off
Healthy work-life balance is essential for employee well-being. Once your employees log-out or they’re taking their personal time-off, avoid contacting them for work matters unless absolutely necessary. Giving them space to unwind enhances their mental, physical, and emotional well-being, resulting in improved performance.
9. Foster a safe space to communicate
A safe space for dialogue encourages trust and collaboration. Building a culture of open, respectful communication ensures that employees feel heard, empowering them to share their concerns freely without fear of judgment. A suppressive environment leads to a toxic workplace and raises the risk of conflicts.
10. Create a comfortable workspace
A thoughtfully arranged workspace enhances both physical and mental health. Providing ergonomic equipment, quiet areas for decompressing, sufficient lighting, and well-maintained, functioning devices can create a more productive and stress-free atmosphere for your employees.
11. Recognise your employees’ achievements
Acknowledging your employees’ efforts gives them a sense of accomplishment and reinforces their value as contributors to the company’s success. Hold employee recognition events to show your appreciation for their hard work and dedication. Highlight their achievements on social media or in the company newsletter to inspire the rest of the staff.
Your trusted recruitment agency in Vietnam for talent advisory
Nurturing your employees’ well-being can uplift your working environment, where everyone can thrive and be productive, leading to improved performance and a stronger bottom line for the company.
ASW Consulting is a reputable headhunting company in Vietnam that provides talent advisory and recruitment services for a wide variety of companies and newly established entities. Reach out to our expert talent consultants, who will help you attract and retain the right talent to fit perfectly into your company culture. Contact us or visit our recruitment agency in Ho Chi Minh City for professional talent acquisition and consulting services.
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