Do Workplace Wellness Programs Really Work? Yes...Here Are 4 Reasons Why!
As a leader, you know that your employees are an important part of your company's success. You want them to be happy, healthy, and productive - but how do you go about creating a work environment that makes those things possible? Well, one answer is wellness programs.
What are workplace wellness programs?
Workplace wellness programs, also known as corporate wellness programs, are designed to help employees improve their mental health. They can include implementing new policies, holding seminars, attending workshops, or other activities that encourage positive behaviour changes and overall well-being among workers.
It's important to note that these types of initiatives aren't just limited to companies with large budgets. Small businesses can also make a difference in the lives of those who work there by taking steps toward creating more positive working environments.
What's the real goal of workplace wellness programs?
According to the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, in 2020, 89% of employers believed spending on employee health and well-being was a good investment. Interestingly enough, only 53% said they had a formal strategy in place. It's clear that employers see the value of workplace wellness programs. However, there is still a lack of understanding about how to measure their success.
Like many aspects of business, in order to have a successful outcome it is important to first start by defining your goals and objectives. Are you hoping to increase employee productivity? Improve retention or reduce stress? Once you have determined what outcomes matter most for your organization, it will be easier for you to decide how best to move forward with implementing these goals into actionable plans. To help you clarify your intended outcome, let’s take a look at a few benefits these programs can have.
Four benefits of workplace wellness programs
Increased Productivity
Reduced Retention Costs
Improved Health and Well-Being
Improved Corporate Culture
Increased Productivity
According to a study by Voucher Cloud in the UK, the average employee is productive for just 3 hours a day! A considerable portion of those studied stated that the remaining hours were spent on distractions (socializing with co-workers, making snacks and hot drinks, checking social media, etc.) and procrastinating. While this statistic may initially alarm you, it is important to note that often the underlying cause for constant distractions and procrastination boils down to one thing: stress.
When employees are happy in their workplace and within themselves, they are much more likely to be creative and innovative, connected to their jobs, and engaged in the workplace. They're healthier and happier, which means they have time for work, not just for themselves - and that's good for everyone. Companies are more likely to grow and prosper overall when they have employees that are high-performing than those that don’t.
2. Reduced Retention Costs
Mental health costs are rising. According to the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, poor mental health in the workplace in Canada accounted for approximately 500,000 Canadians missing work each week due to mental health issues or illnesses. A further study conducted by Harvard researchers showed that for every dollar a company spends on preventative wellness, absenteeism drops by $2.73.
While the reason for investing in your employee's well-being should go far beyond cost-savings, it certainly is one of the benefits of implementing a wellness program. Offering your team the tools to reduce workplace stressors and burnout will help them to be more mindful of how they can continue to improve their lives both inside and outside of the workplace. When employees feel like their workplaces care about them as people and not just as workers, they're more engaged in the company's mission and goals and more likely to stay with an organization in the long term. These factors make it easier for employers to retain talented workers while also reducing costs associated with hiring new ones.
3. Improved Health and Well-Being
Employee health and well-being is a major concern for many companies. According to the Unleash Group, 72% of employers have major concerns about employees’ mental health. This can come in the form of issues like depression, anxiety, and burnout. Workplace wellness programs are an effective way to help employees manage these concerns.
One way that workplace wellness programs help to improve this is by providing education on how to manage stressors at home and at work. This can be through workshops, mindfulness programs and seminars, and by holding healthy discussions around team harmony and mental health. We’ve also put together a list for leaders of 7 ways to improve mental health in the workplace to help you in getting started.
4. Improved corporate culture
A positive corporate culture is one where employees feel supported and encouraged to take care of themselves and each other - and that's exactly what these programs do! Wellness programs can help create a positive culture for employees who take advantage of them. Taking part in a workshop designed to enhance team harmony and increased self-awareness is one way to help to create an overall more positive and harmonious corporate culture. You can also launch an in-house career development program to show them that you value them on an individual level, and recognize their need for growth
Wellness programs are not the only way to build positive employee cultures, but they're an important tool in the kit. If your company doesn't have a wellness program, or if it's not effective enough to meet your needs, it might be time to consider changing things up.
How to incorporate workplace wellness programs
Wellness programs can be helpful if they're designed properly and well-managed. Remember, there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ when it comes to designing a new program. Each should be designed with the needs of employees in mind, sometimes it is best for the company to consider hiring an outside firm that has experience with such programs to manage them.
The first step is to take the time to really understand your corporate culture. What are the values of your company? How do your employees think and feel about the organization? What motivates them, and how does that differ from what drives you as a leader?
Next, it's important to understand how your company operates: its processes, systems, and procedures, who has what authority, what roles are needed in order to make things happen at work (and which ones aren't).
Finally, figure out exactly what goals and objectives you want to achieve with an employee wellness program - and then determine whether those goals will be met through this approach.
Summary
Wellness programs have recently become a major focus for employers, and for good reason. They can help companies improve their bottom line by reducing turnover and increasing productivity. But it's important to remember that these programs are only effective if they're designed properly and well-managed.
As we've seen, there are many different ways to approach workplace wellness programs. The best course of action is to consider your company's needs and culture and choose an approach that will work for you. If you think it might be worth exploring this area further, the first step would be getting input from employees about what they want out of a wellness program. Another way is to consult with an expert who can help develop strategies that are tailored to your specific organization's needs.