Did you know that healthy workers are happier, healthier, less stressed, have better morale and are more productive? A well-managed wellness program can help you attract, retain and engage your employees while reducing health care costs. See this article for tips on the benefits of workplace wellness programs.
With health and wellness being a top priority for people now more than ever, we’re seeing an influx in the number of companies that are implementing wellness programs for their employees. These programs aim to cater to the various needs of each worker, helping boost their physical, emotional and mental well-being. Below, we’ll expand more on the advantages and disadvantages of wellness programs in the workplace.
Challenges in Implementing Workplace Wellness Programs
- Dealing with upfront costs
With all its advantages, setting up a wellness program in the workplace is a worthwhile investment. But before a company – and its employees – can benefit from it, it would have to first deal with the upfront costs involved in setting up such a program. The good news is that the outcomes resulting from the program are more likely to outweigh the initial cost.
- Encouraging workers to participate
While health and wellness are a priority nowadays, joining programs for it may not be everybody’s cup of tea. It’s particularly trickier to persuade unengaged workers to join. The challenge for companies then is to find ways to encourage employees through various methods such as offering incentives or programs that are tailored to their specific interests.
Benefits of Wellness Programs
Wellness programs bring with them a multitude of perks for employees and companies alike. In this section, we’ll talk more about the importance of wellness programs in the workplace and list some statistics on the benefits of corporate wellness programs.
1. Boosted productivity and fewer absences
When the overall health of employees is well-taken care of, this translates to increased productivity in the workplace. Healthy employees working in companies with wellness programs in place are said to be more engaged. Positive employee engagement, in turn, can lead to a 21% increase in employee productivity. This is because individuals who are properly rested are more likely to be motivated to finish their tasks. Remember that the overall well-being of employees influences their performance. Sleep deprivation and unhealthy diets can affect their health, which can then cause a dip in their work performance.
On the other hand, improved health and well-being result in fewer absences for the employee. This circles back to more productivity in the workplace, as fewer absences would mean more days that the employee can dedicate to getting their work done. All these outcomes benefit not only the employee but also the company as a whole because increased productivity levels are connected to higher profitability for the business.
2. Better disposition and morale
Other examples of wellness benefits are happier employees with higher morale. Wellness programs that are focused on improving the well-being of employees can have a positive impact not only on the health of workers but also their overall disposition. Individuals who face fewer anxieties because of health issues are overall happier. Their moods tend to lift, knowing that their company is dedicated to enhancing various aspects of their health. It’s worth noting that happier employees are productive employees as well. A study by the Social Market Foundation and Competitive Advantage in Global Economy discovered that with happier employees, productivity in the workplace can see an increase of 12% to 20%.
Similarly, promoting corporate wellness programs also improve employee morale. High employee morale is when workers feel motivated and satisfied in their workplace. By implementing wellness programs, companies can make their employees feel more appreciated and valued.
3. Higher employee retention
Providing benefits that seek to meet the specific needs of employees can be a game-changer for most companies. It results in an array of positive outcomes that can be felt in the long run, both for the company and employees. On the side of employees, the predominant perk is they’re given tools to improve and maintain aspects of their well-being. Meanwhile, on the side of the company, they may see improved rates in terms of employee satisfaction and retention.
Workers who are satisfied with the conditions in their workplace and the benefits that they are receiving are more likely to stay with the company and not look for job opportunities someplace else. Those who put a premium on wellness and employee experience may see a correlating improvement in worker satisfaction. Compared to companies without wellness programs in place, workers are 1.5 times more likely to stay in companies that offer various health and wellness programs. Workers’ attitudes on a company that prioritises wellness may also be positively influenced, with employees being 3.3 times more likely to be proud of the company they’re in.
4. Improved health and reduced health care costs
Health and wellness initiatives in companies can help employees build and maintain habits that work in their favour, health-wise. Programs that encourage workers to do regular exercise or other physical activities can help lower risks of certain diseases, such as heart disease and hypertension. And not only can wellness programs promote better mood and energy levels, but they can also promote the reduction of unhealthy behaviours of employees, such as too much smoking or consumption of alcohol.
By curbing unhealthy behaviours and the health risks associated with these behaviours, health care costs can also be reduced. A research study in the US for instance, on how wellness programs in the workplace can be cost-effective found that a company can save $3.27 for every dollar it spent on implementing health and wellness programs.
5. Enhanced camaraderie among teams
Undertaking health and wellness programs together can help strengthen the relationships that employees have with each other. It can build and fortify a sense of camaraderie, which is necessary among teams in particular. According to a study by Virgin Pulse, 85% of employers found that effective wellness programs brought a positive impact to their company culture and their employees’ satisfaction. When camaraderie is at an all-time high, this can lead to improved collaboration and foster a stronger feeling of community in the workplace.
Invest in the health of your employees and improve company productivity by implementing workplace wellness programs. Ridgeway Health & Wellness offers bespoke services that promote employee health and well-being. Contact us now by emailing info@ridgewayhealthandwellness.co.uk or calling 01793 814567.