6 Ways to Improve Employee Wellness

 

1. Promote Preventative Care

The problem with many workplace wellness programs is that they are largely confined to solving problems when they happen, but this still means sick days and it still means a loss of productivity in the workplace. Consider taking out group health insurance for your employees. It is also important to promote preventative care such as offering flu vaccinations in the office when flu season starts.

If this is too expensive, the least you can do is encourage getting vaccinated in time for flu season. Remember, you don't like the flu because you lose money, and your employees don't like the flu because it makes them feel awful. So getting vaccinated is something everyone can benefit from.

2. Get Employees Up and Active

Exercise is one of the best ways to stave off illness. A healthy mind and body will always have a big effect on preventing illness at work. You can make your whole workplace into a campus of activity. Add things like bike racks and places for people to freshen up after exercise.

Encourage people to setup exercise clubs and occasionally initiate a walking meeting, where instead of the boardroom you have a meeting in the park while going for a walk.

Little changes like this can have a huge effect.

3. Education Should Be a Priority

A part of wellness people often forget about is education. Employees should be improving every single year, both personally and professionally. The way to encourage health in the workplace is to educate people about its importance. You can do this through recruiting experts on healthy eating to give lectures or, if you have the space, setting up some yoga classes.

As long as this is done in an informative and educational way, employees are sure to engage.

4. The Office Doctor

One major trend in the industry is the workplace doctor. The office doctor isn't a permanent doctor. It's a doctor that works off-site but will come in once or twice a week to discuss health problems with employees. These are registered doctors who can provide guidance and advice.

It's a powerful part of your wellness program because it demonstrates a commitment to a healthy workplace.

5. Incentives to Be Healthy

Combine your employee wellness program with an employee incentive program. The way to do this is to do it financially. If your employees pass certain milestones, such as having a healthy BMI or low blood pressure, you will cover part of their health insurance premiums.

For many businesses, this is a big investment for them to make, but it's something that's sure to pay off in the long-term. The working hours you get back and the lack of a need to cover sick pay means that this can be profitable, even if you have to invest in the short-term.

6. Improve Workplace Hunger Options

In the workplace, you may offer lunch. Do away with the unhealthy meals and replace them with healthier alternatives. Instead of offering soda provide them with juice, milk, and water. But if you do implement healthy alternatives make sure that they aren't too expensive.

SOURCE:inc.com