Benefits of Health and Wellness Programs for Work Environments

Most employers today have strategies in place to increase employee performance and reduce employee absenteeism rates. Providing preventative health programs goes a long way towards reaching this goal. Statistics confirm that employers that implement healthy lifestyle programs promoting health and wellness not only decreased their employee tardiness and absenteeism rates, the companies were able to retain more employees as well. Implementing these valuable programs help to promote a better work environment, and employees tend to feel more optimistic and happy with their jobs. These benefits ultimately increase each employee’s productivity and raises the overall morale of the employee groups.

Preventative Health Procedures

Those that study human psychology acknowledge that a healthy and happy work environment decreases employee negativity and increases spirits. Workplaces that are less stressful tend to lessen the employee’s missed workdays. There are some easy ways to put such a program into place. Providing access for preventative health procedures and benefits can drastically ward of those employee health crises. When employees learn about their health risks, they can then make positive changes to their lifestyles and everyday routines. Healthier employees perform better and reduces unnecessary stress and frustrations on the job.

Free Gym Memberships

Many employers offer free gym memberships to their employees. This has been proven to promote more exercise and healthier living among the employees. Most employees then tend to interact with their coworkers outside of work at the gym or doing some fun work sport or activity. Some employers encourage walking during lunch breaks. Just getting up to move around while at work increases mental focus and decrease muscle and joint aches by regular stretching. There are many employers now that provide better adjustable desk surfaces and better seating arrangements. Sitting on an exercise ball can dramatically decrease muscle, back, circulation and joint problems.

Healthy Bonuses

Employers can give their employees healthy bonuses for participating in the workplace wellness plan. These bonuses might include onsite or local massage by trained massage therapists, free meals, water bottles and lunch bags to bring healthier lunches and other incentives. Many workplaces also get involved in walks or other charity events that the employees can participate in. Some employers give bonus time off for reduced absences. Office environments can be made to alleviate stress. Cubicles can be positioned to reduce distractions, and plants, soothing water sounds, personal mementos and more organized workstations also aid in a calmer environment.

Healthier Living Choices

Supervisors and management staff should include employee input when deciding on new health strategies. Cutting down on unhealthy vending machine items while increasing available healthier snacks can limit employee intake of sugary and calorie laden food and beverages. Allowing more employee say over what is done on the job can increase employee moods and provide a place and time when employee concerns can be addressed. These meetings should be handled by someone trained in guiding group discussions through effective psychological techniques. Many employers add casual dress days to allow their employees to feel more comfortable on the job.

While challenges might be good for encouraging employee competitiveness, business leaders should ensure that stress is managed on the job. This type of work competitiveness should be positive in nature. Employees that have more access to healthier living choices are more likely to stay fit, happy and productive.