This year has brought on many changes. Right now, business owners and executives must take a step back and evaluate their business. Ask yourself, in what areas is your team struggling? Is there anything you can do better? How can you help your employees?
That final question is important. Not just for your employees, but for the success of your organization. One of the best ways to help your employees be the best employee they can be, is to provide them with an employee wellness program.
We’ve been talking about the importance of employee wellness for a while now, but the recent coronavirus pandemic has really shed some light on why you should invest in the health and well-being of your employees.
Health professionals are still spending time researching the novel virus, but there are a few things we do know. Firstly, those who are elderly or have compromised immune system are at higher risk for contracting the virus. Secondly, healthcare experts expect the coronavirus to make another round of outbreaks, which may be worse than the first outbreak.
So, what does this mean for business owners? You must be prepared! Part of being prepared means ensuring your employees have access to activities and programs that contribute to their well-being. Here are some more reasons why employee wellness matters now more than ever:
Healthy Employees=Productive Employees
When was the last time your business operated “normally?” By normally, we mean without the worry of catching the virus and business being in full swing? For most people it was nearly five months ago, due to stay-at-home orders.
For the remainder of this year, you need your employees to be productive. However, it just so happens that, as we return to some sort of normal life, we are also starting off the summer season which typically brings on some slack amongst your employees.
When employees feel their best emotionally, mentally and physically, they are more likely to be productive at work. When you feel great, you’re able to effectively manage stress and take on more work.
In order to get ahead and finish off the year strong, you need a team of employees that feel their best!
Gives You A Competitive Edge
The coronavirus pandemic has changed the way employees view employers. Some companies have put a strategy in place to make their employees and customers feel safe, while others are barely following the CDC guidelines. People are paying attention to the way companies treat their employees.
With this being said, potential employees are doing their research to see how potential employers treat their staff.
If you offer a great employee wellness program, in addition to a competitive salary and other common benefits, you are more likely to attract top talent.
As unemployment rates have skyrocketed due to the pandemic and financial crisis, there are plenty of qualified candidates out there. With the right employee perks, you can attract top talent.
Lower Healthcare Costs
If you offer your employees healthcare benefits, you already know how expensive healthcare is. Wouldn’t you like to cut back on healthcare costs if you could?
If you have an employee wellness program in place, you are doing your part to ensure your employees have access to tools and programs that will help them to become healthier individuals.
For instance, a gym membership will help them to manage weight so that they are at lower risk of developing diseases such as diabetes or heart disease.
Improving Company Morale and Reduces Turnover
Did you know that, on average, it costs $4,129 to fill a position? In a time where money is so tight, you should be doing all you can to hold on to those great employees!
Employee wellness programs are a great way to show your team that you value their hard work and contribution to your business. This enhances company morale and reduces employee turnover.
How to Implement An Employee Wellness Program
You might think this all sounds wonderful on paper but where in the world do you even start? The first step is determining if the wellness program is mandatory or voluntary. It also might take some incentives to get employees going. Don’t be surprised by this. Sometimes people need that little push to get them into a productive, healthy, lifestyle!
Here are some ways you can get employees connected to your wellness program:
Provide Technology To Hold Employees Accountable
Many people wear a fitness tracker device, whether its an apple watch or a FitBit, to capture their physical activity throughout the day. The data from these devices can be tracked and stored in a mobile device so that they can track their success. Consider an employee wellness program that allows employees to monitor their hard work.
Offer Incentives
Offering incentives is a great way to keep employees interested and engaged. One of the best ways to do this is by offering flexible schedules, gift cards to healthy restaurants, or exercise programs and spa days. Every time an employee reaches a goal, reward them!
Create Occasions
Some employees might be very interested in your wellness program but might not have the time. Some people work another job in addition to their full-time job, others have to attend to their family or kids, etc. With a busy schedule, it becomes hard to incorporate wellness activities into the schedule.
This is why you should consider making wellness a part of the work routine. Consider dedicating 30 minutes out of the day for employees to get up from their workspace and get active. This is a great way to encourage them to keep moving.
Work2Live: Helping You Build A Wellness Strategy
If you don’t have a wellness program in place, now is the time to get started! At Work2Live, we connect you to tons of programs and discounts that will help to build your employee wellness program.
Our app lets you and your team stay up to date with the newest additions to your wellness program.
Want to help your employees feel their best? Let’s get started!