Final answer:
The term for employees' freedom from physical or emotional illness is 'wellness.' This multidimensional concept encompasses healthy lifestyle choices and emotional well-being. Protection measures like family leave are also important for maintaining wellness.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term referring to employees' freedom from physical or emotional illness is wellness. Wellness is a comprehensive concept that includes physical, mental, emotional, social, environmental, and spiritual dimensions, all affecting an individual's quality of life. Achieving wellness is a proactive process, beginning with lifestyle choices such as a healthy diet, and it extends to the maintenance of emotional and psychological health.
Mental health is a critical aspect of wellness, encompassing both the absence of mental illness and the presence of positive characteristics that enable individuals to cope with the challenges of everyday life. Mental disorders or illness can have significant effects on an individual's capability to function, impacting 20 percent of the adult population in the United States. The National Institute of Mental Health highlights the importance of recognizing and treating these conditions to facilitate overall well-being.
In the workplace, wellness can also be compromised by job burnout, which involves emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a sense of reduced personal accomplishment. Recognizing and addressing burnout is essential for preserving an employee's mental and emotional health. Furthermore, protections such as the right to take unpaid leave for family reasons including birth or family illness are vital for maintaining work-life balance and wellness.