Understanding Employee Wellness for Improved Performance and Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3

Abstract

The study examines the need, importance, and advantages of wellness that organisations should consider for their employees' general well-being. It is imperative to note that employee wellness is also linked to sustainable development goal 3 that deals with healthy living and wellness and expects organisations to abide to the goals and targets within their organisational context. The study is grounded in qualitative desktop research. The data is gathered through iterature and document reviews. The data was analysed through document and conceptual analysis. The findings explore the implementation gaps in employee wellness programmes, that also affect the effective realisation of SDG 3. In South Africa, societal issues such as health care, health sector financing, disease control and prevention pose a significant challenge to organisations and their ability to operate at peak performance. This is due to the main contributing factor, which is employee performance. The study suggests that this is imperative in every sector to sustain the physical, emotional, psychological, and health wellness of individual professionals, at every level, that has a positive impact on sustaining performance of the organisations. Effective wellness programmes may decrease stress levels and assist professionals to perform better.