Helping you to set up a Wellness Room

A wellness room can go by many names depending on your overall goal. This should be safe, private facility for employees to use in relation to caring for their health needs. This could be for employees that have recently had a baby to be able to express and store milk privately or for example, an employee that needs to take medication via an injection perhaps that would ideally be done in private.

This room is not the same as having bathroom facilities, as the purpose of a wellness room should be to have sanitation and privacy as key features. It should not be multi-functional and should be reserved only for those that need to use the facilities at that point in time. This room also has a different objective to a Multi-Faith and Wellbeing room, read more about those here.

Providing a safe space for employees to meditate, to pray or to rest from periods of stress or invisible disabilities is integral for a business’s well-being practice. Click this image to learn more about how you can implement a Multi-Faith and Wellbeing room in your workplace or school.

The main objective of a Wellness Room is to support staff with their health needs and to avoid them, for example, having to choose between perhaps breastfeeding a child and returning to work.

It sends a message that you support your employees throughout their whole life cycle from entering the workforce, starting a family, during health issues, and beyond, whatever their own situation may be.

Key items to consider:

• Comfortable chairs

• A lockable door

• Privacy screen to allow multi-user occupation (if consented to)

• Access to a sink and fridge

• Multiple power outlets

• A mirror

Checklist image summarises the list above

Some offices go one step further:

• Hospital grade breast pumps

• Access to lactation consultants or 24 hour GP services

• Televisions/iPads/Books

• Art and soft lighting to help the room feel more welcoming.

Security, privacy and cleanliness should be the priorities with this room; however, any facilities you can provide are infinitely better than nothing.

Do you think you could implement one of these rooms? Perhaps you already have! Share your experiences and photos below. You can also “Ask me a question” directly using the button at the top of the page.