7 Examples of Health and Wellness Programs in the Workplace

In the past, meeting deadlines and achieving quarterly goals were the only priorities for employers, but that’s no longer the case. Today, employers prioritize employee well-being above all else.

The biggest reason is the understanding that a healthy employee is a valuable asset to the firm. In addition to this realization, the current pace of work encourages firms to introduce wellness programs to ensure their talented employees stay energized.

That’s why most offices have started implementing different health and wellness initiatives. Such programs help deal with the day-to-day stress that employees experience and even help them restore their physical health.

Here is a list of options that every corporate office could consider. The right program keeps your employees healthy and cultivates positive behaviors.

Team Building Activities

Sitting all day on a chair fixed to a computer takes a toll on your health, causing back pain, knee problems, or weight gain. Sadly, most of our work today revolves around computerized tasks, making it impossible to have any physical activity.

In such circumstances, team-building activities can be the best possible solution. They help individuals get their fair share of daily exercise and are an excellent choice for an employee wellness initiative.

Arrange activities like scavenger hunts or rounds of bingo in the office to engage employees in doing something different from work. There are even ways to incorporate wellness challenges into these activities.

These games are great for building employee relations and contributing positively towards their physical health. Winners of the games could receive good sport medals to boost employee morale.

Believe us, prizes and trophies are the best incentives and motivating forces for individuals to increase participation in such events.

Having On-Premises Fitness Centers and Gyms

What could be a better initiative for promoting employee health and wellness than having an in-office fitness center? Your employees can hit the treadmill during lunch breaks or before heading back to work.

Since your employees have a fitness center close by, they will be encouraged to visit the premises. All you need to do is find a cozy space in your building and convert it into a fully functional gym. Install a few machines, add motivational quotes on the walls, and the fitness center will be good to go. If you already have a gym, you could revamp it to match the vibes of your workers.

This approach might seem costly, but it works wonders for employee health and fitness. Remember, the goal is to boost employee fitness, which can be achieved by an on-site fitness center.

Offering Healthy Food Options

Keeping oneself healthy is not just about working out; it also involves diet. Our food impacts our health, and when an individual fails to consume healthy options, their fitness deteriorates.

Thus, offices should offer balanced meals for their employees. Serve foods rich in nutrients like iron, fiber, and proteins. This initiative will be an instant hit among employees because they will get free food and enjoy a healthier life.

Focusing on Employee Assistance Programs

Another way to support employees is through employee assistance programs. Here, the main focus is supporting employees’ emotional well-being by providing counseling services and mentorship programs.

Being at the top, you might not see, but your employees could be suffering from emotional traumas due to personal or professional circumstances. No matter what reasons, they need some support, and an assistance program would be of valuable help.

Under good guidance and mentorship, employees could rise above their problems, increasing productivity.

Flexible Working Hours

As part of health and wellness programs, organizations should focus on providing flexible working hours. With flexible schedules, employees remain content and highly efficient. In fact, it boosts employee satisfaction levels.

So, the next time your firm thinks of employee wellness, start with manageable work routines. Most offices have strict working schedules and need to realize the importance of work-life balance. All they wish to see are results, but they need to understand that they destroy the workplace environment in the process.

Employees of such firms often end up leaving for better opportunities. Therefore, introduce flexible schedules and remote working options to retain your workforce and increase employee engagement.

This strategy reduces the pressure on individuals, giving them time to tend to their personal lives.

Organizing Monthly Health Checkups

Planning monthly checkups of each employee in your firm is another effective way to establish health and wellness programs at an organizational level. 

Make it mandatory for every employee to have their weight, blood pressure, white blood cell count, cholesterol, and other things checked at the end of each month. If an employee’s reports are not up to the mark or someone’s health is at risk, provide them with personalized wellness plans.

With monthly screenings, your employees can keep track of their health and prevent permanent health issues. This step proves beneficial for your workers, wins over their satisfaction, and helps the organization cut down on health care costs.

Working on Smoking Cessation Programs

These days, we see a significant number of people smoking, and that’s a habit that could hurt anyone’s health. Organizations can work on smoking cessation programs as part of their wellness initiatives.

Try to help individuals who are addicted to smoking and nicotine products. Start by lending them support and understanding their reasons for developing the habit. Follow these steps with encouragement and rewards for those individuals who make progress.

Smoking cessation programs assist firms in saving employees’ health and promoting a smoke-free atmosphere. It is the best way to positively impact an individual’s mental and physical health.

The best part, your efforts will be welcomed by your juniors, who see your concern. They will feel more valued, resulting in better performances.

Why is Employee Health Important?

Employee health is always valuable to organizations because its workers are the ones carrying the entire load of the company. Therefore, focusing on the health and wellness of these people is necessary.

Regarding wellness programs, it’s not just about conducting an activity in a month. It’s about being committed to employee wellbeing, including valuing a worker’s physical and mental health.

From spreading awareness of health programs to offering information and support, wellness programs have different components involved. Therefore, make sure you focus on them all because at the end of the day, the company that values their employees, achieves greater success. 

Conclusion

Undoubtedly, employee wellness programs when implemented correctly can significantly increase the overall productivity of the workplace along with winning over employee satisfaction.

The above-mentioned options are some of the best ways to quickly incorporate the wellness culture into your office routine. Of course, things will be difficult initially, but a little push from your side will ensure effective participation.