In today's fast-paced, competitive business world, companies are increasingly recognizing the value of their most important asset – their employees. A happy, healthy, and engaged workforce is crucial for achieving business success. One effective way to promote employee well-being and boost productivity is by crafting a well-thought-out employee wellness program. However, creating an effective wellness program for your company is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor. Just like there is not a quick fix diet pill, there’s no quick fix answer on what your company’s wellness program should be, or the ever-changing health and wellness needs of your employee base. The best place to start understanding the best wellness perks for your company is by understanding the specific needs and preferences of your team and then adapting plans and perks based on employee feedback. Below we discuss why employee wellness matters and share a list we’ve gathered of not so surprising, yet most appreciated and utilized wellness perks, along with new ways to think about how to implement them.
Why Employee Wellness Matters
Improved Employee Health
The most obvious and immediate benefit of an employee wellness program is improved health. When employees are encouraged to engage in activities that promote physical well-being, such as regular exercise, proper nutrition, and stress management, they are less likely to suffer from health issues. This leads to fewer sick days, reduced healthcare costs, and increased productivity.
2. Enhanced Job Satisfaction
A comprehensive wellness program can significantly boost job satisfaction. When employees feel that their employer cares about their well-being, they are more likely to be engaged and committed to their work. In turn, this reduces turnover rates, as satisfied employees are less likely to seek employment elsewhere.
3. Increased Productivity
Healthy employees are more productive. Regular physical activity and a balanced diet not only boost energy levels but also enhance cognitive function and creativity. A wellness program can help employees manage stress, leading to better decision-making and problem-solving abilities.
4. Lower Healthcare Costs
By proactively promoting health and well-being, employers can reduce healthcare costs. Preventative measures can help employees avoid costly medical treatments and interventions. This, in turn, results in lower health insurance premiums for both the company and its workers.
Company Wellness Options
Health Insurance:
Company sponsored health benefits will forever and always be at the top of most employee wellness expectations. Employees appreciate plans that cover not only medical, but also dental and vision expenses, even if they have to contribute to the premium. However, if you are a small employer - you might not yet be in a financial position to afford health insurance that feels competitive, but there are options to look into to layer on some inexpensive benefits. So think about starting small and building your health benefits gradually over time as your business grows. A Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Plan (QSEHRA) is a great first step to providing assistance towards health insurance and our partner Take Command is a great resource for learning more. And if you are a bit bigger and would like to look at more traditional plans, we are happy to help you evaluate your options or introduce you to brokers we have found to be the best to work with.
Mental Health Support:
Offering mental health support and resources can be a significant benefit to your employees, especially in today's stressful work environment. Post pandemic this is a wellness perk that has climbed to the top of the wellness wishlist. Privacy and confidentiality around mental health needs are critical to employees, so outsourcing may be best. Calm for Business, Ginger, and Headspace are a few worthwhile options. This benefit is particularly helpful if your company isn’t yet able to afford to offer comprehensive medical, dental, or vision benefits or if your industry is particularly stressful for employees. Mental health support and resources offered by employers help their employees feel supported and cared for. A Calm Business mental health trends study found that 42% of respondents said work challenges are the main reasons they seek mental health support with 67% believing their employers should help their employees manage their stress and anxiety. Plus, a balanced and healthy employee is a productive and thriving employee so it is a win/win!
Onsite Company Wellness Initiatives:
Promoting physical wellness by providing ways for employees to stay active continues to be a trend in the industry. The good news is that companies have a myriad of options available to help employees to stay active. The best part about promoting physical activity as part of your wellness program is that it’s a perk that doesn’t have to cost the company a dime.
Team Leader: We suggest nominating an internal “wellness expert” employee or committee (there’s usually at least one person on the team who loves wellness and wants to lead the charge here!) who can suggest wellness initiatives for the company.
Walking Meetings: Some of our clients have loved implementing Wellness Wednesday Walks where there is a goal of moving meetings to walking meetings- ideally outside (weather and safety permitting.)
Team Snacks/Meals: As the company grows and has more flexibility in the budget we have helped implement healthy snacks/lunches for teams to allow for healthy choices when folks are hungry
Gym/Classes: Once a company grows a bit and has some flexibility in the budget for the team we suggest considering gym membership reimbursements, team yoga and meditation classes onsite (which can be especially beneficial when a member of the team is certified and interested in teaching a class or two!)
There are so many ideas here and all can help promote a healthy and productive workplace with high morale. Remember that the best comprehensive wellness program for your employees can vary based on their unique needs, so it's important to regularly collect feedback and adapt your wellness perks accordingly. Additionally, creating a customizable approach where employees can choose the perks that suit them best can be a valuable option as well. And if you haven’t thought about this for your company before and want to chat through it- we are a phone call away!