Employee wellness is a hot topic in America right now. With more and more companies implementing employee wellness programs, you’ve probably heard a lot about the benefits and positive outcomes of focusing on employee health.
If your company does not have a current wellness program for its employees, it is missing an opportunity. An employee wellness program could be your ticket to happier and healthier employees.
Still on the fence about starting a wellness program? Here are ten signs that it might be time for your company to invest in a wellness program of your own:
- Absenteeism. Are employees using up most or all of their sick days? If so, your company is losing money on productivity from absenteeism – which can be easily avoided. Healthier employees are absent less often than their less-healthy counterparts. Investing in your employees’ health could mean putting an end to the days where multiple employees are out sick at once.
- Lack of energy. If employees seem lethargic or tired more often than not, they may not be getting enough sleep, eating right, or exercising regularly. A regular lack of energy negatively impacts productivity, job performance, and even attitude in your employees.
- Low physical activity. Do employees stay stationary at their desks for the bulk of the day? If employees aren’t getting any physical activity during their workday, it could be because your company isn’t allowing them the time or resources to do so. Having a wellness program encourages employees to step away from their desks or visit the gym during their lunch break. Low levels of physical activity can lead to obesity and other health risks.
- Lack of unity and company culture. Is your company lacking a sense of culture? Without programs built for employee engagement, employees will have a hard time connecting with your company on more than an “employer/employee” level. Bringing in a wellness program can boost employee engagement, which positivity promotes unity, culture, and morale.
- Low retention. Is your company experiencing some high turnover? Are your employees leaving to accept jobs at companies with more benefits and a wellness program? If you don’t have a wellness program in place, your company isn’t being as competitive in recruiting and retaining employees as other organizations.
- High-stress levels. While some stress is definitely normal in the workplace, if your employees seem to be significantly stressed out on a regular basis, it could be that they are not effectively managing their stress. Wellness programs can offer a lot of educational resources, from stress management to financial health.
- High health care/medical costs. If health care and medical costs are higher than average, implementing a wellness program will reduce these costs. Research has proven the effectiveness that employee wellness programs have on decreasing healthcare and medical costs, along with a positive ROI.
- Low job satisfaction. Has HR done research on employee satisfaction? If scores are low, employees may not feel they are getting the benefits that they deserve. Having a wellness program has been shown to increase employee satisfaction. It gives employees something to work for, and adding healthy activities and valuable resources improves the overall work environment for your employees.
- Poor health habits. Maybe you notice that employees smoke cigarettes or eat fast food most days for lunch. Or maybe you notice that only the soda products and sugary snacks are purchased from the vending machines. If you observe high-risk health habits from multiple employees, it's time for your company to make some changes and implement a wellness program to increase healthy habits and promote a healthy lifestyle.
- Low productivity. There has been plenty of research to show that productivity increases with healthier employees. Less sick days are taken, and healthy employees are more energized and focused. If your employee productivity isn’t where your company wants it to be, investing in your employees’ health could make a positive impact.
If you notice these behaviors among your workforce, it’s time to act now and help your employees get back on track. Happier and healthier employees not only contribute to your company's success but can also make it a more enjoyable place to work.
What have been some positive experiences from investing in wellness at your workplace? Let us know in the comments below.
