According to industry research, 77% of workers believe that employee wellbeing programs improve workplace culture. But traditional wellbeing programs for the basics, such as fitness and massage fall flat on making a real impact on moving the needle on creating a rich culture of total wellbeing.
As an HR and business leader, if you could boost morale, skyrocket productivity, and lower your overall healthcare costs at your office, would you take it?
Wellbeing and performance may be inextricably linked, but not all companies are investing in this vital area. The same research showed that only 31% of company leaders feel satisfied with their current health and wellness metrics.
Today, we’re sharing eight reasons why this is one of the most important initiatives your company can undertake. Ready to learn more? Let’s get started!
1. Improved Productivity
When you motivate your employees to eat right, exercise, and take care of their mental health, these benefits extend farther than mere physical benefits.
Yes, health can improve, and there is a lower risk of developing certain chronic diseases. You’ll also notice a near-immediate uptick in productivity when you make it simple for employees to enjoy a 30-minute yoga class to combat that 3:00 p.m. slump of energy rather than reach for that fifth cup of coffee.
Not sure where to begin? Why not implement a corporate fitness program? From Pilates to Zumba, there’s a class to fit every need and a healthy way for team members to beat stress and stay fit simultaneously.
2. Higher Morale
It’s a simple equation. Healthy and motivated employees with companies who celebrate and offer programs for employee total wellbeing equate to happier and more loyal people who attract the same.
When everyone in every department feels appreciated and noticed, morale can’t help but rise. When you implement an employee wellbeing program, you’re demonstrating that you value and are supportive, not only for their work performed but also for their overall wellbeing.
One great way to achieve this? Employee rewards and recognition. Enable peer-to-peer celebrations and micro-expressions of gratitude when they notice a job well done. Celebrate birthdays, tenures, and any extraordinary achievements. Highlight publicly when someone achieves a specific metric, bypasses a personal goal, or marks an important milestone.
Then, make the rewards as unique as the individual. Throw one-size-fits-all gift ideas out the door and consider what the recipient would love. Consider experiential rewards with trips to exciting destinations, such as a spa for two, a trip to wine country, or surfing. Personalized gift baskets, or a reserved parking space for the next few months! Nerd out on thoughtfulness, and you win.
3. Improved Retention
Pamper your employees with the health and wellbeing programs, and they’ll less likely jump ship if another offer comes along – even one that involves more money.
This consideration is a critical one, especially given today’s job climate. According to one survey, employee allegiance is waning, with only 42% of employees reporting they feel a strong sense of loyalty to their employers. Given that we are in a state of the distributed workforce and contract employee transformation, this makes sense.
More proof: 58% of surveyed employees said that benefits were an important retention driver and that they’d be more likely to stay with a company with advancement opportunities and a solid company culture. Another study found that employees who worked at an office with an active wellbeing program were less likely to switch jobs in the next 12 months than those who did not (46% versus 52%).
4. Less Absenteeism
Sick and injured employees cost U.S. employers $225.8 billion every year. That equals $1,685 per employee.
Why the exorbitant bill? Consider the wages and salaries paid for those absent employees as they sit recovering at home or in a healthcare facility.
Business managers may not be able to keep everyone well every hour of the day. Still, they can make strides toward improving the overall fitness and mindfulness levels of their workforce.
Employee wellbeing programs make it easy for employers to extend benefits, including dental checkups, chiropractic, massages, and even meditation sessions across their office. These can include mobile health and wellbeing solutions that come straight to campus, or to the employee’s home.
Also, reimbursement programs let the employees take the reign, applying their extra funds toward a local gym or yoga studio membership, for example.
As they give fitness and wellbeing a more significant role in their everyday life, these employees will build up their defenses against illness and strengthen their bodies against injury. That means they’re more likely to show up in your conference room than the hospital room.
5. Lower Healthcare Costs
Think the above number is staggering? Next, consider how much sick employees cost employers when it comes to healthcare.
Studies reveal that taking every component from worker’s compensation to sick days into account, ill or injured employees cost U.S. employers $576 billion every year.
When you encourage your workforce to adopt healthy behaviors, you lower their health risks, along with your insurance bill.
6. Fewer Cases of Burnout
As a society, we’re more connected than ever before, so our jobs should be easier, right?
Turns out, even with the wonders of technology at their fingertips, today’s workforce is feeling the pressure to perform. One study showed that 23% of employees feel burnt out very often at work, and 44% sometimes feel this way.
This isn’t always a silent burden that employees deal with in private. Left to fester, these anxieties and stressors can lead to physical ailments, as well. The same study showed that burnout-related issues cost U.S. employers between $125 and $190 billion in healthcare spending every year, used to treat diseases, including:
- Type 2 diabetes
- Coronary heart disease
- High cholesterol
- Gastrointestinal issues
One of the top benefits of employee wellness programs? Employers can implement lifestyle convenience systems that take certain burdens off the shoulders of employees.
From dry-cleaning pickup services to phone repair and car refueling, how can you make life easier for your company’s most valuable assets?
7. Better Teamwork
Even if your workforce distributed and global teams, successful teamwork is what propels them along. If employees can’t communicate and collaborate with ease, fissions and frictions will form.
This is where employee resource groups come into play.
For example, diversity and inclusion groups instill a sense of belonging and allow teammates to come together to share ideas. You can also encourage employees to join affinity groups that center on who they are – LGBTQ+, Latinas/Latinos, African Americans, Asians, and Veterans – or based on personal passions, for example, wine tastings, book clubs, kite surfing, and hiking.
You can even have certified and trained employees to lead the exercise classes held in your office. All of these ideas foster a sense of community and allow teammates to bond in a comfortable and low-stress environment.
8. Easier Recruitment
Want to remain competitive in your industry’s labor market? Employee health and wellbeing programs are your ticket to staying relevant and top-of-mind with prospective hires of all ages.
When you have one in place, it helps to elevate your employer brand. When you become more visible, you’ll have an easier time finding, attracting, and retaining top talent.
The bottom line?
The best employees want to work at the best companies. And, at an increasing rate, they’re seeking out those that offer benefits exceeding monetary reward. They want lifestyle convenience offerings and perks that show their employers are empathetic to their cry for work-life balance.
Then, once they join your team, they’re more likely to refer their equally-qualified peers. Research shows that when employees work at a company that supports their wellbeing efforts, 89% of them are willing to recommend their company as a great place to work.
Implement an Employee Wellbeing Program Today
Ready to embrace a culture of health, fitness, and motivation within your workplace? Looking for a way to reward your employees for their hard work and encourage their brand loyalty? Want to enhance and streamline your Employee Resource Groups?
If so, it’s time to embrace employee wellness programs, and we’d love to help you with this next step.
Espresa takes the guesswork out of designing a wellbeing program that celebrates your values and mission as a company, and with a platform that employees love.
