The typical routine of most employees revolves around their work desks where they’re holed up for at least 8 hours (or more). Some health experts believe that sitting is the new smoking and could lead to debilitating diseases such as type II diabetes and cause deep vein thrombosis (DVT). All this leads to rising health care costs, which can be a major expense for employers. This is where wellness programs come into play. The idea is to encourage employees to get up from their chairs and get moving.
Lowers Health Care Costs
Studies show that implementing a wellness program helps lower health care costs for a company. This is because corporate wellness programs lead to healthier employees, which is a great way to keep company costs for employees’ health care to a minimum. Moreover, companies with a wellness program experience lower health care premiums because employees file fewer health insurance claims.
Increases Engagement
A survey by the American Psychology Association found that employees are motivated to increase their productivity if their companies have wellness programs. This makes sense because wellness programs boost physical and mental health. When employees feel cared for in a place where they will spend at least 1/3rd of their lives, they will perform better and even show loyalty.
Reduces Stress
The average workplace can induce a high amount of stress in employees which can take a toll on productivity. In fact, the primary root cause of stress for most employees is all work and no play. This is where wellness programs come into play by providing activities and resources to deal with high levels of stress. If stress becomes a chronic problem at the office, it will lead to increased absenteeism and a smaller bottom line.
Lower Absenteeism
Speaking of absenteeism, corporate wellness programs are a great way to address the problem of absenteeism. In fact, employees who participate in wellness programs often come into work in a happier state instead of being sad and gloomy. They have a new-found desire to become productive, which saves their company money spent on sick leave days and reduces the cost of employee turnover.
Employees Now Expect Wellness Programs
Researchers from John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that at least 58.4% of workers feel their employers should play a role in improving their health. In other words, an employee wellness policy could give you an edge over other employees. As more companies implement a form of employee wellness programs in the work place, more employees will start demanding them.
Adapting to Change
The modern workplace is all about adapting to the ever-changing landscape. But change requires a healthy mindset that is simply not possible when a person is dealing with health and mental problems. In the face of shifting responsibilities and increasing globalization, employees must be adaptable to stay relevant and increase the bottom line
Improved Company culture
Employee wellness policies can dramatically improve the company culture simply because employees come together to exercise. This makes sure employees have a fun and productive working environment. Something as simple as a game of volleyball could lead to increased engagement at the work place, which will bolster the company’s bottom line.
So you want to implement a corporate wellness program for your company? Set up an appointment now to learn from the experts.
