The Pros and Pros of Workplace Wellness Plans

There are really no cons when we are considering Workplace Wellness Plans. There is something special that is created when ‘I’ becomes ‘we.’ Companies that foster their employee’s wellness can creatively encourage healthy competition among their staff and not only see better health in their workforce but create a workplace where people work together. At Rightline Equipment in Rainier, Oregon they often have wellness contests, like weight loss contests. This encourages employees to eat healthier and work together to implement healthy habits among themselves and while they do this they support each other to reach their personal goals. This not only leads people to change their lifestyle but they get sick less often and miss less work time.

>>>Read What is a Wellness Plan

Why Employers Should Want Workplace Wellness Plans

Healthy employees are more fit and have more energy which leads to fewer accidents and greater productivity.
Healthy employees miss less work. Some employees have seen a 40% drop in absenteeism when they have a good wellness program in place.
Healthy employees have lower health care costs. Depending on the percentage of insurance costs that are absorbed by employers, this can save companies a lot of money; many times insurance companies offer rate decreases when employers have wellness plans in place for their employees. For every $1 spent on employee wellness, there is an average return on investment of $5.81.
Employers that offer balanced wellness programs for their employees have a more positive corporate culture which draws and retains the best employees.

Why Employees Should Want Workplace Wellness Plans

Employee wellness programs can:

Provide employees with resources and activities they enjoy
Increase employees overall satisfaction at work
Improve their lives off the clock as well as on the clock
Improve workplace relationships and culture
Develop a sense of community and teamwork
Increase personal confidence and enthusiasm

Workplace Wellness Programs to Consider

Provide paid gym memberships or on-site fitness centers
Access to lifestyle coaches and personal trainers
Exercise classes: Stretching, Yoga, Zumba or walking clubs are great ideas.
Promote healthy eating: Offering longer lunches that allow for people to have time for recreation before they return or drive home for a relaxed lunch, and providing healthy lunches and snacks are great ways to encourage employees to make healthy choices.
Employee assistance programs: Smoking cessation programs, confidential mental health programs to help employees with stress, anxiety, depression and substance abuse, financial assistance programs, and employee vaccination programs
Transit options: Create a park and ride or carpooling program, reimburse employees who use public transportation or offer bicycles to use on site to get around large campuses
Offer paramedical services: chiropractic services, physiotherapy, massage therapy, naturopathy, acupuncture, etc.
Nap rooms
Wellness challenges: fitness contests, weight loss challenges, other health encouraging contests
Wellness reimbursements: Golf, laser tag, bowling…any voluntary activity that encourages movement and interaction with others

Things to keep in mind if you are an employer who wants fast results…in reality it is better to measure success over an extended time. 3 years is more realistic than a 1 year goal because some health changes take more time than others. Also it is mindful to make wellness goals that are very targeted: like specific workers who have higher health risks. Also when considering incentives, bigger is better. When people are not already excited about starting a new habit, people generally do not respond to awards that are less than $400.

Since there is generally 60% of employees that do not participate in Workplace Wellness Programs there is the question as to how to get everyone interested.

Here are 5 things that most employees want from a Wellness Program:

A more personalized approach: Providing in-person expert support can help you deliver a more customized program that connects emotionally with employees, making them feel more empowered to take charge of their health.
Convenience: It has to be easy to access programs. Most employees really want an onsite workout facility, but if that is not possible, removing the money barrier to access a local gym that is inviting and has a great staff, where everyone is working towards their personal wellness goals is a great alternative.
More motivation: Confidence in trained professionals’ support, meaningful advice that suits real life and community with others who have benefited from program support can motivate employees.
Mental health support: Many employees say mental health support can be as important, if not more, as support for physical health.
A supportive company culture: Employees want an employer that encourages them to be healthy, provides needed resources to be well and allows time during work to participate in program activities.

Going above and beyond is what employees expect from their employer and is a great way to encourage a reciprocal effort. Companies that take Workplace Wellness Programs seriously tend to have more relaxed employees which in turn makes the workplace more enjoyable and productive.

Considering it takes 21 to 66 days of daily repetition to develop a fitness or health habit…let’s get moving!

I hope that I have provided ample information about the Workplace Wellness Programs. If you are a business that would like help creating a Workplace Wellness Program and you would like some help Karen G Clemenson ready, willing and able to help you create a comprehensive wellness plan that incorporates all aspects of your employee’s wellness.

If you don’t want to research a specific wellness topic go to our Dear Jamie page and send an email to our Research Manager, Jamie Holloway, and someone from our team with write an article to answer your question.

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Resources and Start Learning More:

5 Things every employee wants in a workplace wellness program by Ann Wyatt for Employee Benefits News
10 Examples of the Best Workplace Wellness Programs by Rise Staff
How Well Do Workplace Wellness Programs Work? by Julie Appleby for National Public Radio
Paramedical Services – Are They Valuable? by Dent Benefits Consulting Staff
What is Workplace Wellness, Really? by Dr. Charles Bens for Corporate Wellness Magazine
Why Wellness Programs In The Workplace Are Beneficial by Health Tech Zone Staff

I hope this article helps Fuel Your Wellness. Please leave your comments below.

Summer D Clemenson co-owns Clemenson Enterprises and Wellness Works NW with her wife, Karen G Clemenson. Their personal motto is Creativity, Honesty & Positivity are a must! This mantra helps them stay community and wellness minded in all they do. Summer is an Independent Wellness Advocate at dōTERRA. Summer also writes poetry and inspirational blogs @ ClemensonEnterprises.com. Her crochet art can be viewed and purchased @ KnottyWares.com & she loves special orders!