Workplaces are busier than ever these days, and companies are starting to realize how important it is to take care of their employees. It’s not just about giving people gym memberships or the occasional yoga class anymore. Wellness programs have grown into something much bigger — they now focus on helping people stay healthy in every way, including their body, mind, and emotions.
Some might wonder if wellness programs are just a trend. But when companies put real thought and effort into them, they can have a big impact on both employee well-being and productivity.
Over time, companies have started to notice something: when they put real effort into wellness programs, their teams feel better, take fewer sick days, and get more done.
Here are Five Reasons Why that Happens.
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Improved Physical Health and Lower Absenteeism
Wellness programs are at their most basic level, trying to enhance physical health. Whether it is fitness programs, health screenings or on-site medical services, these programs will get employees to make healthier choices in their lifestyles. Regular access to preventive care and fitness alternatives will mean that less of the population will experience a chronic illness, fatigue, or burnout. The employees who are healthier will consume fewer sick days.
In a study conducted and released by the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, firms that succeeded in wellness programs experienced a 28 per cent reduction of sick leaves. It translates to less interruption, seamless productivity, and the lowered price whenever employees are off duty.
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Boosted Mental Well-being and Morale
It’s good to see mental health getting more attention at work. More companies now offer things like therapy, time off to recharge, and stress support. Some even include meditation or mindfulness. These things help people feel supported. They make it easier to deal with stress and stay well at work.
When the mental stability of employees is supported, the morale of the employees is boosted. When an employee feels safe and valued, he or she will be more inclined to stay motivated, engaged, and committed. Increased levels of morale also go hand in hand with reduced turnover and thus companies save a considerable amount of money on recruitment and training expenses.
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Increased Engagement and Team Cohesion
Group activities in most wellness programs comprise walking challenges, fitness contests in wellness, and team fitness objectives. These do not only promote healthy behavior but team relationships as well. Participants in group wellness programs tend to feel closer to their fellow employees as well as the company as a whole.
This team spirit transfers to the work of everyday undertakings. Teams that are bonded out of the office office tend to communicate easily, do their jobs in a coordinated manner and pursue problems in a unified manner. In brief, wellness programs have the marginal, yet a potent effect on company culture and interpersonal relationships.
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Higher Productivity and Cognitive Function
We all know that healthy individuals tend to perform better. A healthy exercise routine, diet, and stress reduction techniques all lead to improved concentration, sharpness, and better performing problem solver. This is because, when the employees are physically and mentally fit their productivity also increases.
Besides, wellness programs can address another major office productivity destroyer, burnout. A Harvard Business Review study found that burnout causes a decrease in productivity to the tune of 36%. Companies can enhance output and quality of work by including wellness support to their employees, which enables them to recharge.
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Attraction and Retention of Top Talent
Non-salary benefits in a competitive job market may tip the balance in favor of a candidate. A comprehensive wellness scheme can give the workers an indication of your sincerity towards their well-being. Employees are becoming more concerned with the well-being of the employer, including its ability to enhance work-life balance, mind, and health.
Similarly, workers are likely to be loyal to companies that care about their health. Retaining experience improves the reputation of the company and protects institutional knowledge as well. The findings of a report on employees who received wellness initiatives by a group of American Psychologists also revealed that 89 percent of the respondents had greater intention to recommend their company as a nice place to work.
Final Thoughts
Corporate wellness programs will not solve any problems in your company overnight. Well-planned ones turn out to be an indispensable ingredient in a strategy of a business system to expand and remain sustainable. When companies invest in employee well-being not only can the costs on healthcare be reduced or attendance increase, but also a culture of care, trust and high performance is created.
When burnout and stress are becoming an epidemic, helping people is not only a matter of right but also a brilliant business decision.
