How Do I Encourage Employees to Participate in My Wellness Program?

With the aftermath of COVID-19, The Great Resignation, the emergence of Quiet Quitting, and various other factors affecting employee stress and disengagement, businesses are increasingly acknowledging the significant advantages that wellness programs bring to the table.

It's clear that wellness programs aren’t just nice-to-haves — they’re essential. Yet, despite their clear benefits, many employees remain on the sidelines.

Let's face it: how often do we jump at the chance to spend another lunch break at a wellness event? It’s a tough sell.

However, what if wellness programs could be more than just another calendar invite? What if they could genuinely add zest to our workdays, turning the dread into anticipation? Let's explore how we can make wellness initiatives effective, engaging, and exciting for everyone involved.

Understanding the Importance of Wellness Programs

Employee wellness programs, such as on-site fitness classes, mental health support groups, and healthy eating initiatives, are essential for fostering a healthy workplace environment, improving productivity, and reducing healthcare costs. However, one of employers' most common challenges is achieving high participation rates in these programs.

Encouraging employees to engage in wellness activities requires a thoughtful approach that caters to their needs and interests. Before diving into how to encourage participation, it's important to understand why wellness programs are beneficial. These initiatives can lead to significant improvements in employee health and well-being, which in turn can result in:

• Reduced absenteeism due to better physical and mental health.
• Increased productivity as healthier employees are often more energetic and focused.
• Enhanced employee morale and job satisfaction.
• Lower healthcare costs for both employees and employers due to preventative health measures.

Why Employees Don’t Participate

With all the emphasis on well-being these days, you'd think more people would be taking advantage of wellness perks at work. But apparently, that's not the case.

According to Gartner's 2021 EVP Benchmarking Survey, a whopping 87% of employees have access to mental and emotional well-being offerings, yet only 23% are actually using them. 

So, what gives?

There are a few reasons why employees may not be jumping at the opportunity to join in. Things like:

• Insufficient incentives
• Inconvenient locations
• Time restrictions
• Lack of interest or motivation
• Unsupportive company culture
• Lack of communication 
• Trust and privacy concerns 
  

10 Ways to Improve Wellness Program Engagement

First, let's acknowledge that getting people to change their habits is no easy feat. But the good news is that it's not impossible either. By framing the program as an opportunity to improve overall health and well-being rather than a dreaded obligation, you'll be more likely to pique their interest.

Next, it's all about finding the right approach for your organization and culture. Here are some tips that can help encourage employee participation in wellness programs:

1. Incentives: Offer incentives to employees who participate in wellness programs. Think about rewards such as gift cards, extra vacation days, or discounts on health insurance premiums.

2. Flexible scheduling: Many employees may have difficulty attending wellness programs due to their busy work schedules. To increase participation, offer flexible scheduling options or allow employees to participate in sessions during breaks.

3. Create a wellness culture: To prioritize wellness, create a culture of health within the workplace. Encourage employees to take care of themselves by providing resources such as healthy snacks, gym memberships, or access to fitness classes.

4. Customize programs: Develop customized programs by tailoring them to your employees' specific needs. For example, if your employees have high-stress levels, consider offering stress-reducing activities such as yoga or meditation.

5. Get leadership involved: Encourage management to participate in wellness programs and promote the importance of employee health. This will help create a positive culture around wellness.

6. Reduce barriers: Identify and remove any obstacles that might discourage participation. This can include scheduling conflicts, lack of program visibility, or complicated signup procedures.

7. Social support: Create opportunities for employees to connect with each other and provide support. This can include wellness challenges, group fitness classes, or wellness committees.

8. Regular communication: Ensure employees are regularly informed about the benefits of wellness programs. Use tools like Slack or Microsoft Teams to share program updates and wellness tips. And don’t forget about old-fashioned newsletters, posters, and email.

9. Partner with local businesses: Collaborate with nearby companies to provide exclusive deals on healthy dining choices, energizing workout sessions, and various wellness-focused events. 

10. Diverse offerings: To cater to diverse interests and needs, be sure to add a variety of activities like health talks, fitness challenges, and mental health workshops. And, to make participation even more fun, why not introduce elements of competition? By following these simple strategies, you can attract and retain a wider audience and create a program that everyone will love.

Final Advice

With these tips, you're now equipped to lead a fantastic wellness program that drives high levels of engagement. But remember, flexibility is critical. Don't be afraid to pivot if necessary. Solicit feedback regularly and tailor the program to meet the needs of your employees. Use tools like anonymous online surveys or suggestion boxes to gather continuous feedback, ensuring the program evolves and remains relevant to your workforce's needs. Keep an ear to the ground for buzz and participate in the program alongside your employees. 

Encouraging employees to participate in wellness programs is about more than just announcing the program and hoping for the best. It requires a strategic approach that involves clear communication, incentives, personalization, supportive culture, and continuous improvement.

What are some of the unique ways you have increased participation? Share below.