WELL here we come!

As we all know, wellness in the workplace is a large topic. In order to implement wellness, organizations have to be on board as a whole to make it happen. There are several areas that can help people stay well and therefore happier, healthier and more productive. Employers who care for employee health and wellbeing see numerous measurable benefits, from higher productivity, and higher profitability to lower turnover and fewer safety incidents. Work and life aren’t mutually exclusive. Gallup’s research shows that work influences home life, and home life influences work. It’s in an employer’s best interest for workers to have a thriving life and bring the effect of that thriving life to work.

Wellness programs range and include any activity to improve health. These programs often include medical screenings, incentives, behavior change interventions, fitness programs, social support, or competitions.  Some great options are:

• Free Onsite Meals & Snacks
• Steps Challenges
• Encourage Breaks
• Offer Gym Reimbursements
• Promote Healthy Eating
• Happy Hours
• Create a High Five Board
• Implement an Employee Recognition Program
• Encourage Personal Time Off
• Provide Mental Health Support & Apps
• Encourage Team Bonding

Each office is unique as well as the people in it, therefore each plan should be customized.  A good place to start is with an employee survey to understand employee’s concerns and needs. Next make sure there is leadership support for the program or it won’t work. An internal well team to lead the program is also important to build a successful program. Communication is key!

Johnson & Johnson has stated that their wellness program has saved the organization $250 million over a six year period, resulting in a wellness program ROI of $2.71 for each dollar invested.  If that’s not inspiring, I don’t know what is.