Seventy percent of workers are disengaged and uninspired at work, according to Gallup’s 2013 State of the American Workplace study. But it's not all doom and gloom for HR pros. There's a way to fight back.
One of the best ways to drive engagement is implementing programs that help your employees realize that as their employer, you're interested in their wellbeing – including their physical, financial, emotional, and social health.
When employees are healthy, everyone benefits. According to a recent study by Integrated Benefits Institute (IBI) employees that work at a company with a strong commitment to a healthy workforce spend more time working, work more carefully and concentrate better than employees at other organizations. “If a workplace sets a high priority on the health of employees — who, in turn, are healthier and have better job performance — then it can reasonably be said that an employer’s culture gives it a competitive advantage. Workplace culture reflects the priorities of company leadership and is an area where employers have some leverage to improve business performance,” said IBI research director Kimberly Jinnett, PhD.
On the flip side, another study by Gallup, reported that employees who are engaged in their work are more likely to report a healthier lifestyle - they eat healthier, exercise more frequently and consume more fruits and vegetables.
Need more proof? If you take a look at the Fortune's 100 Best Companies to Work For® list - the winners take employee health seriously. Here's the number of the 100 Best Companies that offer wellness services:
- 97 On-site flu shots
- 87 Regular on-site blood pressure screenings
- 83 Regular on-site cholesterol screenings
- 70 Subsidized gym membership
Wellness is more than simply a means of controlling costs, and more than just another benefit. Rather, it is a necessary expense for being a competitive employer in the marketplace.
