Employee wellness programs are more popular than ever, and with good reason! No longer just found in large corporations, more and more businesses understand the importance of keeping their employees healthy and well-balanced.
As part of a company benefits package, corporate wellness programs offer all kinds of perks and can go a long way to improving the overall fabric of a workplace. When implemented correctly, wellness programs give employees incentives, tools, social support, and strategies to adopt and maintain healthy behaviors.
Here are eight helpful benefits of corporate wellness programs:
1. Corporate wellness programs improve overall health
Everyone probably has a bit of room for improvement when it comes to taking care of their health right? Well, the core of every good wellness program is behavior change for healthier living. It has been proven that with the right education, skills, motivation, skills/tools, and social support, people are able to make and maintain meaningful change in their lives and behaviours.
After the completion of corporate wellness programs, the improved habits and behaviours contribute to lowering health risks overall and improve general health.
2. Corporate wellness programs reduce elevated health risk
The reason many people get sick, or aren’t performing at their full capacity, is often due to stress that the body is experiencing as a result of poor health. Elevated blood glucose, high blood cholesterol, and high blood pressure are almost all caused by unhealthy diets and lack of physical activity.
Thankfully, with effective mentorship and education, behaviours like eating and exercising can change. Most people want to lead healthier lives and decrease their chance of disease. Having a corporate wellness program in place is helping people lead better lives today while investing in their future health.
3. Corporate wellness programs improve productivity
Corporate wellness programs increase productivity, plain and simple. It is so often the case that employees who are sluggish or struggle to get work done are suffering from poor health. You know the kind of people who are physically present at work but not working? This is a widespread problem, and it is called presenteeism.
It is estimated that the cost associated with presenteeism due to poor employee health is at least 2 to 3 times greater than direct health care expenses. By offering the resources people need to feel better physically and emotionally, you’re bound to see a notable increase in productivity.
4. Corporate wellness programs improve employee recruitment and retention
In today’s competitive employment market, there are a lot of factors that go into the decision to accept a job offer. Depending on the position, some candidates will definitely expect a rich benefits package to accompany their salary. Many expect a wellness program, gym membership and health clinics as part of the deal.
If your organization is unable to offer these services, or at least show that you’re working toward improving what you do offer, a lot of potential candidates won’t think twice about looking elsewhere. Keep in mind that all the large software/tech companies are offering wellness with their benefits plans. If you want your organization to look appealing to the best possible people for the job, this is something you should consider too.
5. Corporate wellness programs promote engagement
Companies with corporate wellness programs report much higher employee engagement. This means that people are more interested in what they are doing and are in a better position to think creatively and come up with good ideas. If employees feel supported in their environment, they will be much more motivated to do their best.
6. Corporate wellness programs reduce absenteeism
As we are coming to understand, there are plenty of reasons other than the cold or flu that people feel unable to come in to work. With stress, anxiety, depression, and other psychological issues effecting such a large part of the population, it is no wonder people need support at work. Providing corporate wellness programs will lead to reduced absenteeism, as employees know they can also access resources on the job.
7. Corporate wellness programs increase camaraderie
A productive workplace environment is one in which people feel comfortable sharing ideas and offering constructive criticism. Wellness programs go a long way to overcome the barriers of collaboration as they involve shared goals and struggles. Some wellness programs even incorporate group meetings, support groups. and fitness activities.
As employees work on improving their health together, bonding and camaraderie will follow. When people trust each other on a personal level, they are more likely to work together and support one another’s ideas.
8. Corporate wellness programs make employees feel appreciated
Perhaps most important of all, having a corporate wellness program in place lets employees know that you care about them ad individual human beings. In a busy office environment, it can be easy for people to feel that their work is not appreciated, and that management has little interest in their day to day wellbeing. Investing in a corporate wellness program lets people know that their unique challenges, issues, and goals are valued by the organization.
