Importance Of Wellness Programs

Do you want to increase employee wellness and morale? Implement a corporate wellness program to provide fitness incentives.

If you own a business, you know there are many facets of business operations you have to manage. For instance, the success of the business likely depends on your ability to maintain the workplace productivity levels of your employees. Yet, you must also keep your employees happy. Employee health is also a top priority. Illnesses can cause initial problems, such as missed project deadlines. They can also cause ripple effects throughout the company. General sluggishness may also prevent your employees from being as productive as possible.

One of the best ways to improve the work environment of your business is to implement at least one corporate wellness program. You can even opt to implement multiple programs for better results. There is a clear link between employee productivity and general health. Wellness programs help employees stay  energized and focused on the tasks at hand, which is why they are essential. If you would like to start workplace wellness programs for your business, begin by understanding the needs of your employees and the many program types from which you can choose.

What is a Corporate Wellness Program?

You may think of a particular event or perk when you think of a corporate wellness program. For example, you might expect the company to offer on-site gym equipment or exercise classes. In some cases, that does happen. However, corporate wellness programs can also take many other forms. The best programs or groups of programs are designed to promote total wellness. They cater to as many as possible of the following needs:

  • Physical Exercise

  • Mental Health

  • Healthy Eating

  • Rest and Relaxation

  • Maintaining Physical Comfort While Working

  • Illness and Injury Prevention

Some wellness programs are appropriate for all industries, such as healthy meals. However, many corporate wellness programs are also designed to meet industry-specific needs. For example, office workers are often provided stretch or exercise breaks by their employers. Such breaks prevent fatigue and muscle aches. They also help to maintain good circulation and mental sharpness.

What Factors Cause the Correlation Between Wellness and Productivity?

In the workplace, one of the most important links between wellness and productivity is attendance. That includes physical and mental attendance. Many employees take time off work when they are ill, decreasing personal workplace productivity. Such absences can also decrease productivity for entire departments or teams, if co-workers are depending on the absent employees. 

Even when workers have minor illnesses not requiring them to miss work, they are often mentally absent. Feeling ill causes their mental focus levels to drop. They may also suffer from aches, pains, lack of sleep, or illness-related stress. That sluggishness may bring productivity to a standstill, costing the company time and money in the process.

Conversely, workers who are mentally and physically well are typically quite productive individually. They also work faster and more efficiently on group projects. Not all illnesses are preventable. However, when preventative wellness programs are in place, employees are more likely to stay happy, healthy, and productive. 

What Are Some Top Wellness Program Benefits for Employees?

Corporate wellness programs vary. Therefore, their potential benefits are also different. However, certain universal benefits are expected with any wellness program. For example, healthy eating and exercise reduce the risks of obesity. They can also lower risks for heart attacks, diabetes, and other common ailments to develop. Other potential benefits of such programs for employees may include:

  • Improved Co-Worker Relations and Company Culture

  • Lowered Depression Risk Factors

  • Stress Reduction

  • Saving Money on Healthcare Costs Due to Fewer Injuries and Illnesses

What Are Some Top Wellness Program Benefits for Employers?

Increased productivity levels is not the only wellness program benefit for employers. Companies with wellness programs are more attractive to employees. That makes long-term employee retention easier. Employees are more likely to want to stay due to the healthy work environment. They are also more likely to trust their employers and feel as if their employers care about their needs and desires.

Obtaining employees initially is also easier with established wellness programs for employees. Increased attractiveness to new recruits allows companies with such programs to maintain labor market competitiveness. Additionally, existing employees are more likely to recommend their workplaces to friends and acquaintances when wellness programs are in place.

What Are Some Examples of Popular Corporate Wellness Programs? 

If you own a business, you can implement any corporate wellness programs you want. You can opt to design your own wellness activity plans. However, there are also many popular corporate wellness programs and websites that are already established. You can offer your employees access to those programs, if you do not know how to design your own or do not have the time to do so. Here are some of those top programs:

  • Gympass is a corporate fitness discovery program. It offers its members access to various partnered gyms around the country. It also provides access to over 20 fitness apps. Its membership plans start at $9.99 per month. 

  • Sprout is a corporate wellness program that offers full integration and customization. Its services include real-time health risk assessments, rewards and incentives, data analytics, and activity tracking. Its pricing is variable based on company needs.

  • Wellable is a Boston-based wellness company with two corporate membership levels. The first costs $75 per month and is recommended for companies with at least 25 participating employees. The second costs $1,000 per month and is recommended for companies with at least 500 participating employees. Wellable also offers unique features like individual and team challenges, including one-time challenge events.

  • Woliba is a wellness education program that focuses on educating corporate employees to help them maintain their health. Its services include wellness quizzes, recipes, and challenges relating to behavior, as well as physical fitness. Corporate membership ranges from $75 to $800 per month based on the number of employees enrolled.

  • WellRight offers health coaching, wellness games, risk assessment, goal tracking and more. It offers guides and tutorials relating to all aspects of physical and mental health, as well as finance management assistance. Employers can contact the company for price quotes based on their company sizes and employee needs.

How Else Can I Improve Employee Wellness in My Company?

If you want other ways to improve employee wellness, consider special events, such as company-sponsored races. You can also use rewards and incentives to improve participation. Cash incentives are typically most effective. However, incentives like catered parties for meeting certain group goals are also often effective.