Expanded employee wellness programs are becoming a necessity for companies. A recent study found that 70% of respondents believe that employers should provide wellness programs to their employees.

‍

The reason is simple: it’s in the company’s best interest to provide wellness programs to its employees. The benefits of wellness programs are well documented. They help reduce healthcare costs, improve morale, and increase productivity.

‍

Social responsibility is a common motivator for companies who want to invest in employee wellness. Organizations such as the World Health Organization and the United Nations have stressed how important it is for companies to take care of their employees, especially when they are going through hard times or struggling with mental health issues.

‍

Over 55% of people surveyed in the study above said they would be more loyal if their employer invested in employee wellbeing and mental health benefits.

‍

The need for enhanced employee wellness programs is widespread because traditional mental health benefits do not provide them with resources for improving their overall lifestyle choices.

‍

Mental health benefits are not wellness programs. A Wellness Program will help employees feel healthier and more productive. Plus, it can reduce workplace stress levels, a leading cause of burnout among professionals in today’s fast-paced world.

‍

What is a Corporate Wellness Program?

‍

A corporate wellness initiative is a program that aims to improve the health and well-being of employees.

‍

It can be a combination of different strategies, such as providing health insurance and medical coverage, offering financial incentives for participating in wellness programs, or providing on-site fitness facilities.

‍

The goal is to help employees maintain a healthy lifestyle by reducing their risk of developing symptoms of chronic stress.

‍

The pressures of today’s society make it challenging to manage a work-life balance easily. Many companies don’t offer benefits or maternity leave for new mothers. It puts unnecessary pressure on employees to make it all work.

‍

When companies put the well-being of their employees first, the results are astounding, including one statistic about how corporate wellness programs can improve employees’ health. “The American Heart Association has completed an extensive review of the ability of wellness programs to improve health and reduce cardiovascular risk” (Wellsteps).

‍

Furthermore, “workplace wellness statistics showed that in as little as six weeks, health risks could improve dramatically. Those who maintain healthy behaviors experience lower health risks for six weeks, six months, 12 months, and even out to 18 months after this program began” (Wellsteps).

‍

Many companies don’t want to spend the money when there’s evidence it reduces sick days and improves productivity. Therefore, companies pay less in the long term by implementing these preventive remedies.

‍

The Science of Wellness and Why It's Important

‍

It is essential to have a healthy lifestyle and, as a result, live a healthier life. This can be achieved by taking care of your mental and physical health. It is also essential to take care of your emotional and spiritual wellness because they are just as important as your physical wellness.

‍

"Wellness" is the state of being mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually healthy. It’s about living in a way that promotes our health and happiness. The science of wellness has been around for centuries, but it's only recently that people in the Western world have started to take notice.

‍

3 Companies with Awesome Employee Wellness Programs

‍

Google is one of the most well-known companies for its employee wellness programs. They offer a wide range of benefits, from on-campus bike repair to an on-site health clinic and even free lunch to employees.

‍

Some other companies that have excellent employee wellness programs are:

‍

Asana

‍

Most of us know Asana as our management tool, but many employees enjoy the perks of a growing company but wellness programs to benefit the employees’ overall health.

‍

One example is their nap rooms for those who need to de-stress or want a break. “The company offers unlimited PTO to help employees achieve work-life balance” (Monster).

Asana also encourages employees to nurture their physical health with healthy meal options but nurture their minds with mentorship programs and free coaching.

‍

Microsoft

‍

Microsoft offers an array of wellness initiatives for its employees. Everything from family counseling for mental health to fitness health, including, “Microsoft will also fund your gym memberships or fitness-related equipment and activity purchases while also providing free Zumba classes, onsite walking, and running tracks, along with basketball, volleyball, and baseball courts” for physical health.

‍

Microsoft is an example of a well-rounded program to benefit the health of its employees.

‍

Fitbit

‍

We know how important physical health is, but just for our bodies but for our minds. Burnout and fatigue are common for employees during stressful times and navigating work/balance.

‍

Fitbit has implemented corporate wellness programs with fitness centers and programs, maternity and paternity leave for employees, competitive salaries, PTO, and benefits.

‍

How to Implement an Effective Corporate Wellness Program

‍

A corporate wellness program is a set of programs and initiatives that the company offers to help its employees live healthier lives. These programs are designed to help employees reduce stress levels, improve sleep, and lose weight.

‍

A corporate wellness program can be an effective strategy for recruiting and retaining talented employees. It can also help reduce the risk of absenteeism, injuries, and turnover.

‍

People work hard to be able to afford the things that they need to live. They often forget about themselves, which can lead to a decrease in their physical and mental health. This is why companies need to implement wellness programs so that their employees can take care of themselves.

‍

Some benefits of having a corporate wellness program are:

‍

• Increased productivity - It is not just about the physical wellness of the people in the company but also their mental and emotional well-being. A happy and healthy workforce is more productive and creative, which leads to higher profits.
• Reduced healthcare costs - One significant benefit is that wellness programs can reduce healthcare costs for the company and its employees. They also help in reducing stress levels, which will, in turn, lead to better productivity from the employees.
  
• Increase employee morale and happiness - Corporate wellness programs are a great way to help employees reach their full potential. They can provide a sense of purpose and meaning to people who might feel like they are just working for a paycheck.
• Encourage employees to take care of their health - it sets a healthy standard for their employees and helps them maintain balance in their life.

‍

What Makes an Exceptional Wellness Program?

‍

Some of the benefits of a wellness program can include an increase in employee productivity, a decrease in health care costs, and an increase in employee satisfaction.

‍

A study by Kaiser Family Foundation found that participation in wellness programs leads to 32% higher productivity and nearly 9% lower absenteeism; research shows that an effectively implemented health and wellness program can reduce aggregate health care costs by as much as or more than 20% – 30%.

‍

Expanded corporate wellness programs can be a cost-effective way to improve employee morale and increase productivity while reducing workplace stress and burnout.

‍

It can be agreed that companies that care about the well-being of their employees are the most productive and successful. Sometimes it’s not all about the customers but the employees. When you take care of your employees, you are indirectly taking care of your customers and creating a positive and highly productive work environment.