Quality of life affects the quality of work
Human-centric workplace design can drive employee wellbeing and performance
People carry their work into their personal lives, bringing not only their successes and positive experiences but also their worries and stress. Conversely, our personal lives impact our work, affecting both our employee experience and performance in measurable ways.
In a negative scenario, this can lead to financial costs. However, employers and managers can mitigate the risk of decreased performance or even create opportunities for improvement by focusing on employee wellbeing. The key is to apply human-centric design principles to the digital workplace, which can enhance both wellbeing and performance.
Quality of life: A holistic view
Quality of life is a subjective evaluation of one’s life circumstances. It encompasses more than just standard of living; it also considers an individual’s overall wellbeing, including emotional state, environmental conditions, cultural experiences, and access to public services. The World Health Organization’s Measuring Quality of Life assessment identifies six key categories to evaluate:
- Physical Capacity: Health, rest, and sleep
- Psychological Aspects: Emotions, self-esteem, and mental well-being
- Independence: Work capacity, mobility, and daily functioning
- Relationships: Social support, intimacy, and personal connections
- Environment: Safety, healthcare, leisure activities, home environment, climate, and financial resources
- Personal Beliefs: Spirituality, religion, and personal values
Quality of work: Changing expectations
We believe that optimal working conditions contribute significantly to every aspect of human life, including physical and mental health, relationships, independence, security, morality, purpose, and social value.
Historically, salaries and other rewards were the primary motivators for employees to value their work, with personal recognition also playing a significant role in overall satisfaction. Work and private life were often kept separate, and any negative effects of a job on personal life were frequently overlooked or ignored.
However, awareness has grown regarding the negative impact that work can have on health, relationships, and overall well-being. Today, employee expectations have evolved considerably. People not only seek jobs that do not detract from their personal lives but also aspire to roles that positively contribute to their most cherished values.
This shift mirrors the Japanese concept of Ikigai, which emphasizes finding a vocation that you love, that fulfills a societal need, for which you are well-compensated, and at which you excel. Missing any one of these elements can result in incomplete satisfaction.
Research indicates that employees seek a sense of belonging, meaningful work, the opportunity to positively impact others, and opportunities for personal growth and development. The need for autonomy, combined with stability, trust, and recognition, highlights that work and personal life are increasingly intertwined rather than separate realms.