Corporations are putting aside archaic methods of corporate culture in exchange for corporate wellness programs that foster greater morale, helping businesses thrive.
Did you know some of the corporate trends rising today are implementing wellness programs? So far, they’re proving to be more than a simple fad. They’re a huge benefit to the company and to the employees, and the best part is that they’re pretty easy to manage.
If that’s so, then why don’t all companies have some sort of health and wellness programs yet? That may be because they still haven’t realized how this investment will help them. If you’re one of them, keep reading to see why such programs are worth the investment.
1. Corporate Wellness Programs Improve Productivity and Engagement
Stress and health have a major impact on the productivity of an employee. This is why working long hours is counterproductive in actuality since it weakens our mind and body.
Employee health and wellness programs can help them deal with stress. This then allows them to work with their best foot forward almost daily. The body will have more energy for the day, and the brain can better focus on the task at hand.
Mental health also has direct links to motivation. This is why the lack of motivation is a symptom of depression and other mental issues. Keeping them healthy will help them get motivated to finish their jobs, as well.
Help your employees maintain their mental and physical health. They’ll reward your company by working hard and increasing productivity in return.
2. Wellness Programs Reduce Absenteeism Rates
Because it makes employees healthier, it also reduces the employees’ absenteeism rate. Employees are less likely to call in sick due to illnesses and allergies. Plus, they’re less likely to have to go to the doctor for check-ups and treatments.
Some employees also call in sick when they’re feeling down for no particular reason. This is a mental health issue sometimes, which wellness programs can address. These programs will reduce the occurrence of such cases.
Absenteeism hits companies hard as it can cause a potential loss of billions for the company. This is why wellness programs not only benefit the well-being of employees, they also benefit the bottom line of the companies.
3. Wellness Programs Lower Health Care Costs
It may seem counterintuitive for a company to invest in wellness programs to reduce health care costs, but this one works. The idea is that health and wellness programs help employees develop healthy habits.
Employees will eat better, exercise more often, and control their stress better. This may even lead them to drop unhealthy habits, like smoking and drinking in excess. These increase productivity and reduce absenteeism, saving the company money.
What follows is lower risks for illnesses and chronic diseases. This then lowers the employee-related health care expenditures. A good example of this working is the Johnson & Johnson employee wellness program. It has an average ROI of 3.27, which means it saved $3.27 for every dollar it spent on the program.
However, most studies say that the benefits stop once a person stops those healthy habits. That’s why companies must continue to encourage employees to take part in these programs. They can do this by making it easier and more accessible to them.
4. Wellness Programs Increases Employee Satisfaction
Companies often forget that taking care of employees should come first before taking care of clients and customers. Although it’s the customers who drive the profits up, it’s the employees who make that happen.
Launching wellness programs is one way to care for the employees. After all, it shows that the company cares for their health.
It’s a huge perk for working there, and many employees will appreciate this benefit. This will only motivate the employees to perform better for the sake of the company.
Furthermore, millennials are seeking job benefits more than salaries. More and more millennials are entering the workforce, so if you want to keep them satisfied, you’ll have to offer more than the traditional benefits like health insurance and so on. You’ll need this to attract the top talents from this generation as well, which brings us to the next point.
5. Corporate Wellness Programs Attracts and Retains Talent
Having a wellness program makes a company competitive within the labor market. Workers today not only consider the salary but the benefits, too. With that in mind, offering wellness programs can attract the top talents in the industry.
According to a survey by Virgil HealthMiles and Workforce Management Magazine a few years ago, about 87% of employees consider the employee wellness programs offered by the company when choosing an employer.
Not only that, but employees are also likely to recommend the company to other people, too. As you know, referrals can be a good way to connect with qualified and good employees.
This also results in higher retention rates since employees are more likely to love their workplace. Wellness programs are a huge deal to employees. They won’t likely leave the job for a company with no similar programs.
6. Wellness Programs Promotes a Better Company Culture
The survey above also revealed that 77% of employees think that wellness programs have a positive impact on the company culture. This isn’t surprising since healthy individuals are more upbeat and easier to talk to, in general.
Healthy people are happy, allowing them to contribute to a nice atmosphere in the office. Even though personality doesn’t have a direct correlation to performance, working in a happy and healthy environment beats working in a depressing setting.
It also builds the community if these programs involve group activities. Even if the employees only go on individual activities, they can still build their relationships with coworkers. They have shared experiences to talk about.
This type of company culture can encourage workers to succeed and do their best at all times. They can work with each other better, improving teamwork and team productivity.
Choose the Right Wellness Programs
If you’re going to do one thing, though, you have to do it right. You must choose the wellness programs that employees will want to participate in; otherwise, they won’t be of help.
If you need an idea, contact us today, and let’s talk about our wellness programs.