Have you always been using your employee benefit the wrong way?

The scent of cognac, the clicking of high heels, the third call. The performance begins. Different kinds of cultural experiences are an essential part of promoting human well-being. Yet culture, that supposedly expensive hobby, is often considered out of reach. Meanwhile, tens or even hundreds of euros of employee benefits remain unused in Finland, as people typically either use them for sports activities or not at all.

People often assume that culture — whether it’s theater, concerts, museums, or festivals — is only for the elite, when in fact culture is for everyone and has been proven to have many positive effects on workplace well-being. Workplace well-being is a hot topic nowadays and an important goal for organizations of all sizes: when employees thrive, the company or organization is more successful. At the same time, well-being isn’t just about good ergonomics, healthy lifestyles, or professional development; culture also plays a significant role, from both an individual and a community perspective.

Image: Money invested in culture pays for itself in terms of work productivity and improved
well-being at work. Picture: AI generated by giz.ai

In this blog post, we will explore the importance of cultural well-being and offer ideas on how culture can support workplace well-being. We will focus on working adults, who often have limited resources but a great need for recovery and self-development. That’s why it’s worth making the most of your employer’s cultural benefit—both employees and organizations will gain.

Culture may be the key to well-being

Art and culture are part of life and belong to everyone, regardless of age or life situation, throughout the human lifespan. All of us experience and engage with culture in one way or another. Cultural well-being means that culture and art bring people good feelings and well-being.

According to the Taikusydän network, cultural well-being particularly involves
customer- and need-oriented forms of cultural and artistic activities
that clearly have health- and well-being-promoting objectives.

Cultural well-being can manifest in many ways, for example:
• Positive emotional experiences: Feelings of joy, excitement, and meaningfulness. For instance, music can be used to make one’s emotions visible to oneself and to others.
• Strengthening the sense of participation: Shared experiences and collective enjoyment increase positive team spirit and a feeling of togetherness. Do you remember the last time you shared a movie experience with a friend?
• A resource in everyday life: Listening to music, visiting museums, going to the theater, or engaging in handicrafts all help with recovery and stress relief. They also promote and maintain functional capacity.

WHO’s report on the health impacts of arts and culture (see links at the end) and numerous Finnish projects (such as Parasta Pohjois-Savoon!) have shown that culture has positive effects on well-being and health. Moreover, health care has also recognized the positive impacts of cultural well-being.

Culture affects the entire work community

According to a comprehensive WHO report (2019), art and culture strengthen mental health and a sense of happiness. Research shows that communal activities, such as singing in a choir or participating in a theater production, reduce loneliness. In such settings, we meet people, form meaningful social connections, and feel we belong to something larger.

Culture also breaks up routines and encourages new perspectives on everyday challenges. Creativity is a skill increasingly needed in working life; during change, the ability to solve problems in innovative ways is crucial. Arts and culture-based methods — such as drama exercises or using music — can help work teams address changes or conflicts in a safe environment.

A sense of community and participation are also foundational pillars of workplace well-being. When people enjoy each other’s company, trust and more open communication emerge. This kind of atmosphere supports solution-focused thinking and lowers the threshold for sharing ideas. Culture acts as a social “glue” that can strengthen team spirit and a sense of belonging.

Many organizations have used artistic methods to navigate transitions, such as improving collaboration between teams or reinforcing a new corporate culture. Artistic methods have been shown to foster openness, innovation, and empathy. The results include not only more creative problem-solving but also a work environment where everyone feels confident expressing ideas and trying new things.

Culture is for everyone and is proven to support workplace well-being. It promotes joy, social belonging, and helps with recovery. Music, theater, and other art forms reduce stress and reinforce a sense of belonging. Yet the cultural benefit offered by employers often goes unused, even though it can boost resilience and creativity.

How Are Cultural Benefits Used, and Why Are They Left Unused?

Many employers offer cultural benefits as a tax-free perk to employees. Popular ways of using this benefit each year include tickets to movies, museums, the theater, and various events. In many adult education centers, it’s also possible to pay for courses with your cultural benefit, meaning you could use it to start a new hobby, whether in handicrafts or the arts.

Incredibly, but true: a significant number of cultural benefits go unused every year. Many people don’t know if they have a cultural advantage or how to use it, which leads to the benefit going untapped. A lack of time or motivation can prevent people from taking advantage of it. Some individuals simply have no interest in the available cultural events. If the benefit is small or has restrictions, it may not incentivize users to utilize it. Even if it covers part of the costs, the benefit can still remain unused if travel or other additional expenses make participation expensive.

Culture isn’t merely entertainment, it strengthens a team’s atmosphere, trust, and innovation, which supports both individual and organizational success.

So be brave and choose cultural activities with the employee benefit and increase your well-being with the help of culture! Give cultural activities a try with no financial risk. You’ll surely find other ways to fund your sports hobbies as well. Culture can bring new energy into your life and, through that, promote your work well-being. How much do you still have left in your cultural benefit balance? Use it courageously and explore different forms of culture! Will you choose ballet or a rock festival? The choice is yours.

Writers:

Hanna-Mari Hakulinen, Pirita Mattila, Suvituuli Riihimäki, Pauliina Rissanen and Heli Rytkönen Students of Welfare and Health Coordinator Master’s Degree Programme at Savonia University of Applied Sciences

Pirjo Pehkonen, Juha Peteri and Sanna Savela Lecturers at Savonia University of Applied Sciences