Put simply, employee wellness includes the mental, physical and financial wellbeing of the workers. It is also impacted by other factors such as the physical and social environment.
Similarly, corporate wellness revolves around the wellbeing of the workplace.
“A healthy outside starts from the inside.” – Robert Urich. With that in mind, ask yourself these questions.
- Does this involve the workplace environment?
- What kind of culture is being promoted and implemented within the workplace?
- Is the organisation providing an opportunity with a range of activities and programs?
- What kind of policies and procedures are in place?
- What’s the attitude of the staff members with each other and the management?
- Is the management treating its employees fairly and justly?
If organisations hope to create a reputation where they are seen as caring to their employees, they will need to create opportunities within the workplace. There are numerous options that employers can utilise for workplace wellbeing. Corporate wellness programs are designed so that the employees can be provided with the needed support. The goal of wellness programs is to ensure employee wellbeing is not compromised.
Several wellness programs can be implemented within the workplace, some of which include:
- The addition of Yoga classes. These allow the employees to stretch and exercise during their work days. It will help in ensuring everyone’s bodies are taken care of.
- Meditation classes could also be included. With the help of these classes, employees could be taught how to manage their stress.
- Several educational opportunities on the job can be provided. Allowing employees to improve and gain new skills will help them be motivated.
- Organisations can arrange wellness challenges. Healthy competition can keep the workplace and the employees active and allows employees to showcase their talents.
- Anti-smoking campaigns can be launched and incentives given to those who choose to participate. Not only does this cut down needed smoke breaks, but it also improves worker health company-wide.
- Gym memberships can be provided by employees. That way, your workers can focus on their own fitness at their own pace.
- Ergonomically designed workspaces can be installed in the office in order to improve comfort and prevent long-term injury.
These wellbeing solutions can significantly improve company morale and culture by making the work environment safe and more fun.
On to the Benefits
Research states that over half of the people with high health risk dropped to a low-risk status after completing their worksite exercise program. This proves that implementing such a solution makes a dramatic difference in company health.
With improved employee health behaviours, you’ll see a decrease in habits such as unhealthy eating, obesity and smoking. You’ll also notice your workers are able to handle stress more effectively. With a healthier workforce, your healthcare costs will plummet. However, physical health is not the only benefit or solution to workplace wellness. With access to mindfulness and meditation classes, your workers will have to opportunity to finetune their mental health and face any internal issues they have head-on. With more educational opportunities, your workforce’s skillset will grow, making your team more resourceful.
No need to worry about your employees upgrading to a better job elsewhere because you have given them all improvement and opportunities they need to progress within the company. A lower job turnover rate adds to a fantastic employer reputation, leading to worker loyalty and the attention of new prospects.
Employee recruitment is much higher among organisations with a good reputation. Most applicants consider health and wellness packages as well as financial benefits when they apply. By providing these things, you add value to the company and enable it to remain competitive.
How to Implement These Programs
The first step in any initiative is to assess your environment and find out what your workforce’s pain points are. You can figure that out by asking employees what their wants and struggles are. Even in the happiest workplace environments, there’s always something to improve. Once you know what needs improving, you can pitch your idea to management. Ensure you include the financial benefits the company will see if the idea is implemented. The best programs are holistic and provide several wellness options for employees to choose from. Not all workers struggle with the same thing, so it’s important you cover as many grounds as possible.
Remember, you don’t have to go through with this alone. Corporate wellness consultants are out there with their own methods, workshops and even apps. Once you have a program initiated, you must gather data so you can see how wellness was improved. Gather feedback from employees on what can still be done better. Wellbeing is an ongoing campaign, and you won’t get everything right the first time. Finally, enjoy your progress and let it fuel your future wellbeing endeavours!