Workplace Wellness Programs You Should Consider Implementing Today
In this article we will define workplace wellness programs, discuss the benefits of workplace wellness and offer a few ideas of programs you should consider.
Workplaces can help their employees live healthier.
According to a study conducted by Careerbuilder, 61% of employees report feeling burned out on the job. In 2018, Statistics Canada reported that the average rate of absenteeism among Canadian organizations was 10 days per full-time employee. It’s estimated that absenteeism costs companies an average of $16.6 billion per year. That’s a lot!
A workplace wellness program is any initiative designed to establish a work environment that promotes employee’s holistic well-being by creating an organizational health culture. Successful wellness programs are known to reduce absenteeism, increase productivity and retention and boost company morale. In the long run, wellness programs work to reduce overall costs and save money for employers. Employees feel better about themselves and employers save money. It’s win, win!
How can you choose a great workplace wellness program?
There are many different options for workplace wellness programs. Here are a few factors to consider when designing a program for your workplace.
Find one that is tailored to your company's needs and budget.
Choose a program that’s easy to use and understand.
Choose a program that can be integrated into your company's existing systems.
Consider affordable program options for your staff.
Ask for feedback from your employees!
Different types of workplace wellness programs you should consider implementing.
No matter the size of your organization or your budget for workplace wellness, here are a few programs to consider implementing today.
Wellness newsletter and calendar of events.
A well-written newsletter can be a great way to share news about your company culture and the ways you're helping employees improve their health. Newsletters can include articles on health and wellness topics, articles on company news and openings in leadership roles. As well as employee appreciations and achievements.
Group wellness workshops and seminars
Being Clinical Counsellors we’re a bit biased toward these. We know that knowledge is power, especially when it comes to your health… and mental health! A wellness workshop or seminar can provide your employees with vital information about warning signs for burnout and help employees build tools for managing stress and getting active.
Healthy food and beverage options in the office.
One of the best ways to promote wellness in your workplace is by providing healthy food and beverage options that are readily available. Make healthy choices the default, and help employees understand how eating well can improve their health and productivity.
Mental health days.
Mental health days are a great way to help employees manage stress and anxiety. Mental health days can be used by employees at any point during the month—even after other paid time off (PTO) or vacation time has been used up. They should be viewed as another way to give your workforce a break from work demands so they can focus on self-care, deal with issues at home, or just relax without feeling guilty about not being productive while away from the office.
Fitness activities
Fitness activities can include on-site gym and yoga classes, subsidized fitness-related purchases including gym memberships and exercise equipment. This is where health spending accounts fit in. In addition, subsidizing employees to engage with wearable technology like a fit bit or apple watch can also encourage engagement with fitness and physical activity.
Volunteerism programs
According to Volunteer Canada, companies that support the volunteering efforts of their employees experience lower staff turnover rates. Volunteerism programs can be an excellent way to strengthen employee morale and build camaraderie among employees.
You can implement a volunteerism program in a variety of ways, but one effective way is by allowing employees paid time off to participate in a volunteer program of their choosing. Alternatively, you could organize a group volunteer activity for those employees who are interested.
Employee assistance programs (EAP)
Employee assistance programs (EAPs) are a confidential resource for employees who need help at work. EAPs provide a range of services, including counseling and support for mental health, substance abuse, family issues and more.
Team-building and social activities
Team-building activities encourage employees to get involved and create community within the organization. These activities can include company book clubs, lunch hour games and year end celebrations.
There are a number of options for workplace wellness programs. Ask for input from your employees and get creative. Even the smallest change can have a big impact.
Implementing a workplace wellness program can be a great way to improve the overall health of your employees. It’s important to remember that a workplace wellness program is not just about providing incentives and rewards—it’s also about improving the health and well-being of your employees so they can perform better at work and outside of work. With a successful workplace wellness program, employees feel better about themselves and employers save money, it’s win win!
Looking for a mental health wellness program?
Check out and book a preventative mental health workshop for your team today! We cover topics including:
Education on the nervous system and stress response
Employee’s unique warning signs for stress and burnout
Building a toolkit for bio-hacking the nervous system
Building mental health resiliency through skills practice
Happy Workplace!