How is your wellness program looking these days in today’s hybrid world?

More than ever before, being able to reach employees about their health in an engaging way is an essential part of healthy companies. When staff members aren’t always in the office all the time, it can make it challenging to keep wellness campaigns feeling cohesive. That’s one reason why employers must get creative in their approach to modifying current wellness programs. 

There’s no doubt that employees are reevaluating their priorities around work-life balance. In fact, 53% of employees are more likely to prioritize health and well-being over their work than before the pandemic.

A wellness program that crosses successfully over into the hybrid realm is one focused on more than just fitness programs or on-site workplace wellness. The most impactful programs take employee needs across all aspects of wellbeing.

Read on to learn how it’s done.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month.

That makes it the perfect time to refresh employees' minds on the importance of mental health activities. Embrace the need to discuss mental health in the workplace and talk about the importance of exploring mental health activities on a regular basis.

With one in five adults experiencing mental illness, it’s essential to remind your staff of ways to stay mentally healthy. With hybrid workplaces, it can be particularly challenging to figure out ways to have those discussions, but this list makes it easier.

Below, you’ll find ideas that are easy for employees to do that don't demand a ton of time, but that are still beneficial to mental health.

Even for employees who love their jobs, work-related stressors still happen.

In fact, a recent survey from Future Forum compiled results from 10,000 workers globally showing anxiety and stress levels in the workplace are at their highest since June 2020. In-house workers in particular were found to have 1.5 times worsening work-related stress and anxiety compared to remote workers. 

Without a doubt, the pandemic’s lingering effects don’t just include long-haul COVID. Some are still grappling with being back in the office, work-life balance, staff shortages, anxiety, and other life and work stressors. Even pre-COVID, the American Psychological Association found work to be one of the top stress sources for Americans.

Below, learn more about the top work-related stressors that may be impacting your employees and how to help them better manage work-related stress.

How’s your workplace morale these days?

When a team is humming like a well-oiled machine, it can feel like there’s not a project or problem they can’t tackle together.

But throw in an unexpected roadblock — ahem, COVID — and morale can take a nosedive, quick.

This post highlights the workplace low morale signs employers should never ignore like chronic bad attitudes and poor work performance. Plus, we share insight on how to address each issue that pops up along with strategies to keep morale high — all throughout the year, even during tough times.

Trust among coworkers can make all the difference between a cohesive, collaborative environment and one that's negative and toxic.

One way to build trust? With regular trust-building activities meant for teams.

Not only are trust-building activities good for morale, but they also can be a lot of fun. Plus, it’s an opportunity for camaraderie while also working on team communication skills. Try it out on a Friday afternoon to set your employees up for a relaxing mindset for the weekend.

Ready to explore some exciting trust-building activities for teams? Read on.

When was the last time your company checked ergonomics for the office?

If it’s been a while — perhaps before the pandemic — it may be time to look at how employees' computer workstations are set up.

This is especially important given that four out of five workers are now experiencing musculoskeletal pain since working from home has become the norm. Carpal tunnel is one of the most well-known, especially for computer-based employees. As most workers are now working a full 40 hours in hybrid or remote-style environments, setting them up with the best possible workstation is key to their health and productivity.

Want to know more about how ergonomics increases morale and improves health and productivity?

Here’s a look at the importance of ergonomics for the office and the negative impacts of a poorly designed workstation.

Is your workplace a toxic one?

If you’re in search of signs of a toxic work environment, you likely know your workplace is harmful.

​With workers coming back into the office and interacting in person again, it's easier to see ​where bad habits and behaviors may come back into play. It is the job of HR and leadership to tackle toxic behaviors in the workplace ASAP.  

While it’s normal for colleagues to disagree from time to time or get snappy sometimes, it’s not okay for that to be ongoing. Additionally, unhealthy behaviors like harassment, bullying, and ostracism can take a toll on employees’ health and wellness.

Here are the signs of a toxic work environment to keep in mind and rectify as soon as possible.

Trying to train your brain how to fall back asleep after a stressful work day?

It’s hard, right?  

You’re not alone. An estimated 70 million Americans struggle to get proper sleep, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

That not only makes it difficult to function at work the next day, but it also can come with a slew of health issues, too. For those who have found their bed makes a semi-decent workstation for comfort, there’s bad news: Literally working from bed causes sleep disturbances even hours later. That’s the first habit to break to help with sleep. 

Want the rest of the hacks to learn how to fall back asleep? Read on.

April is Alcohol Awareness Month, an ideal time to bring awareness to drinking habits.

By bringing awareness to the issue, employees can reflect on how their alcohol consumption impacts their health — both in the short-term and long-term.

It’s worth talking about in the workplace as 232 million workdays a year are lost due to alcohol use disorder — and the rise in alcohol consumption during the pandemic suggests the number is going in the wrong direction.

Take the time this month to discuss with employees the topic of alcohol addiction and its associated health risks.

Healthy workers don’t just appear.

It takes a combination of resources, knowledge, and investment to support employee well-being. However, for some employees, maintaining good health may feel like an uphill battle. Social determinants of health (SDOH) play a significant role in shaping these challenges. These determinants encompass the environmental, social, and economic conditions people experience regularly through work, play, and daily life.

Social determinants have a profound impact on health outcomes, particularly for vulnerable populations. Limited access to health care, inadequate well-being resources, and unequal opportunities for healthy activities can leave many employees feeling left behind.

Creating a safer, more inclusive workplace environment is one way to bridge these gaps. By addressing disparities in access to health care and well-being options, companies can make a meaningful difference in the lives of their employees.

Below, we break down what SDOH means for businesses, how it influences employee well-being, and practical strategies to ensure your company is leading the way in creating equitable health opportunities.