Being overworked and not having time to rest or enjoy life leads to undesirable pressure and stress. If mental stressors are not dealt with on time, companies can face frequent turnover due to job dissatisfaction and low productivity. This is why employers need to address this problem through transparent communication and holistic wellness programs.
Employee wellness programs are the initiatives taken by employers to improve employee’s health. These programs are brought into practice through employee training, staff seminars or third-party providers.
BENEFITS OF HOLISTIC WELLNESS PROGRAMS
1) Physical Benefits
Promoting physical well-being by encouraging the employees to be more active through good nutrition, adequate sleep and regular work-outs.
2) Mental Benefits
Ensure positive mental and emotional health through initiatives that are soothing and calming.
3) Social Benefits
Wellness programs can help build social networks. Thus, employees will enjoy improved cross-team engagement and team cohesion.
4) Financial Benefits
Improve employee’s financial literacy and help them with optimal money management.
5) Occupational Benefits
Many holistic wellness programs offer appreciation to the employees, boosting their confidence, work-life balance and job satisfaction.
HOLISTIC WELLNESS PROGRAM
1) Wellness Assistance
Now-a-days, mental health has become one of the biggest areas of focus for HR departments. Some organizations like “One Mind” also dedicate an annual award to companies that best promote mental health at their workplace. Some ways in which an employer can prioritize his employee’s peace of mind are:
- Open and transparent communication
It will be easier for managers to identify the mental stressors of their employees before they turn into burnout or depression.
- Mindfulness and meditation classes
These are the most effective ways to counter daily stresses or any persisting personal issues that may interfere with an employee’s efficiency and productivity at work.
- Professional help
This means offering mental health assistance to employees or enabling them to get help via mental health allowances.
2) Fitness Programs
Establish on-site fitness centers to allow easy access for employees to work out. One of the top companies that encourages fitness programs is Google. They have a team of physicians, therapists and massage set-ups. Their campus also has its cafes providing nutritious meals to promote healthy eating.
Regular health screenings and biometric assessments can be conducted, too. This proactive approach not only helps to identify potential health issues but also enables organizations to implement targeted interventions to reduce healthcare costs. Providing comprehensive health insurance plans for employees and their families can also support their medical expenses.
3) Flexible Work Hours
Offering employees independence to work at their convenience allows them to adjust their work schedules to better fit their personal lives. With flexibility, employees can also get opportunities to participate in holistic wellness programs in between their work schedules.
4) Teamwork Schedules
This holistic wellness program focuses on engaging employees in activities that promote connections, collaboration and support among colleagues. They can feel a sense of belonging to positively enhance their mental and physical health.
Employers can also encourage employees to volunteer in the community through fundraising to support any underprivileged group or cause. Doing good deeds for others makes people feel good about themselves and facilitates closer bonds among their colleagues.
5) Smoking Cessation Programs
Introducing tobacco cessation programs is a proactive measure to limit poor health behaviors as smoking is now the biggest public health threat. By promoting a smoke-free environment an organization can reduce health related costs, absentees and demonstrate a commitment to employee’s well-being.
6) Financial Education
Financial wellness seminars, one-to-one coaching, and resources are great ways to help employees establish financial goals for the future. These programs aim at improving the lives of employees at different life stages. They offer information on topics such as savings, debt management, tax implications, loans, insurance and retirement planning.
7) Employee Appreciation
This is one of the best ways to make employees feel engaged and happy. It gives them a sense of fulfilment and purpose, especially in remote work environments. One can do this in the form of rewards or recognition, like being the health champion of the month.
Conclusion
Organizing these worksite assistance programs for employees helps the companies reduce productivity loss due to work stress or other chronic health conditions and is a great way to keep employees happy and company morale up!
Download the JOYSCORE app to cater for happiness and health in your lives.
FAQ’S
Q1 How can we save money with employee wellness programs?
A1 The improved physical and mental health of employees achieved through wellness programs can help reduce healthcare costs for an organization. The comprehensive health insurance plans for employees and their families also help support their medical expenses.
Q2 How can we encourage the employees to participate in holistic wellness programs?
A2 We can effectively encourage employees to wellness programs through:
- Open communication
- Offering incentives
- Flexible scheduling of wellness programs
- Conducting surveys to gather preferences
Q3 What are the most important wellness programs to start with for an organization?
A3 The physical and mental wellness programs contribute the most to their employees’ active participation at work.
