81% of employees believe their employers’ wellness initiatives have a positive impact on their health. (Gallup)
The strength of an organization is built by its employees. The people who work for your organization play a vital role in running the business. If a small cog in a watch malfunctions, the watch may cease to work. It is essential to ensure that all parts are functioning properly. In the same way, it is necessary to look after the employees of an organization. Workplace wellness programs are a great way to stop them from turning into a broken cog.
Employees can often feel burnt out and stressed. This can harm their productivity. It is necessary to help and support them according to their needs. That is why most companies implement a form of work wellness program to help their employees.
What is a Workplace Wellness Program?
Workplace Wellness Programs are initiatives taken by a company to promote a healthy lifestyle and mindset amongst their employees. They focus not only on their mental well-being but also on helping them through any physical health challenges. Often, they can extend to helping an employee’s family.
These programs can offer various options for employees to maintain a healthy work-life balance and also promote self-care to boost engagement, productivity, and overall work performance. But apart from the obvious, what are the benefits of initiatives like these?
Benefits of Workplace Wellness Programs
1. Boosting Morale
The simplest and basic benefit is the boost in morale that an employee gets. They can improve and encourage positivity in the workplace. You can boost morale through team-building activities and celebrating employee milestones.
2. Reduces Stress and Anxiety
People constantly worry about different things throughout the day. It does not matter if you are a CEO or an intern; stress and anxiety can often trap you in their jaws. It is important to craft workplace wellness programs that let employees de-stress and take a short breather.
3. Improves Public Image
When a company incorporates workplace wellness programs, employees are more likely to give positive reviews. This reflects well on the company and can help attract top talent to the company’s doors.
4. Increases Employee Engagement
Employees who are engaged in their work are bound to feel fulfillment through it. They are more likely to take initiative in the workplace. They can also feel comfortable in their role in the organization and can stay in tune with their surroundings.
5. Reduces Health Risks
Employees facing health issues can increase the number of sick days they take. This can lead to a rise in absenteeism. Proper health screening can often mitigate this problem and lead to healthier lifestyle choices.
As you can see, investing in employee health initiatives can be beneficial to an organization in the long run. But what exactly can you do? There are several ways you can look after your employees. Here is how:
Different Workplace Wellness Programs That Work
1. Flexible Work Schedules
Offering a flexible work schedule can cater to the various needs of employees’ work-life balance. This allows them to manage their work and personal responsibilities effectively. This can reduce stress in employees and stop them from multitasking in both parts of their lives
2. Financial Counseling
Just like everybody else, employees in your organization can be stressed about money and their financial situation. Having a strong financial program can address their concerns. A company can offer financial counseling, financial management tools, and a good retirement plan. This can put people at ease and can, in turn, help them focus on their work.
3. Health Screenings
As mentioned above, it is important for a workplace wellness program to have proper and regular health screenings. One can offer assessment programs that can create personal health plans to promote a positive lifestyle.
Health screenings and health programs can be essential for many employees. A lot of the time, they are suffering from chronic illnesses. Supporting them can make them feel confident and secure in the organization. It can also be a great step in reducing sick leaves and the cost of healthcare. You can use CDC’s Workplace Health Model to design your health wellness program
4. On-Site Fitness Centres
While we are on the topic of healthier lifestyles, offering on-site fitness centres can be a great way to encourage just that. It is not easy to consistently work out when having a full-time job, especially if employees have personal responsibilities or a long commute. Promoting fitness through gyms can help workers reach their full potential. It can create a workplace centred around being active and fit.
5. Team Building Activities
Team building activities can promote camaraderie among members of different teams that work in the organization. These activities not only strengthen the bond between employees but can also enhance social well-being. Team building can include outdoor activities, fitness challenges, or promoting community service.
6. Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
In recent years, there has been a lot of focus on the negative effects of poor mental health. An article published by SHRM mentions how 84% of employees stated that at least one workplace factor negatively impacted their mental health. Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a great way to keep your employees’ mental health in check. These workplace wellness programs offer counseling and mentorship. Creating a supportive environment is necessary. It can help with job satisfaction and help in managing emotional challenges.
7. Wellness Programs for Remote Workers
It is important to regularly check in with people who work from home. Often, remote workers are not connected with their colleagues. Planning virtual training sessions and encouraging the use of digital wellness apps can be effective in supporting those who work from home.
These are some of the most popular ways to encourage employees. But how do you go about designing a workplace wellness program?
How to Design a Workplace Wellness Program?
- Step 1 – Set a Goal: When starting, it is important to establish the end goal of your program. This will also help narrow down the type of wellness program that you want to choose. Make sure that it addresses the concerns put forth by the employees.
- Step 2 – Make a Team: Successful workplace wellness programs take a lot of time and effort to organise. Create a dedicated team that can establish a program that not only helps employees but also the organization as well.
- Step 3 – Research: Collect data and do comprehensive research on key areas of need. Talk to employees. This can be done face-to-face or through surveys.
- Step 4 – Communicate: After the plan has been made, effectively communicate it to your employees. They should know all the schemes and benefits available.
- Step 5 – Get Feedback: Get feedback to evaluate whether the program was successful. Keep optimising according to different situations. Keep yourself open to new ideas and constantly keep evolving.
As mentioned above, workplace wellness programs are constantly evolving. It is important to keep up with the emerging trends. So, what are the newest shifts in wellness programs?
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Workplace Wellness Trends in 2025
1. Initiative for Diversity, Equity & Inclusivity (DEI)
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity (DEI) is a major talking point in 2025. These programs focus on being inclusive in every aspect of the overall organization. This can include DEI mentorship, diversifying recruitment, and supporting equal pay and promotion opportunities.
2. Use of Tech
Wearable technology and tech devices are being used to keep people aware of their health and well-being. Wearables can count steps and track sleep. They can also be used for conditions like diabetes and issues related to blood pressure. Employees have started using these devices to lead a healthy lifestyle; From using them for meditation to using them as reminders to stay hydrated.
3. Modifying The Workplace
Redesigning the layout of the workplace can boost the morale of your employees. It might not be possible for you to make big changes, but small changes like improving lighting and air conditioning can have a positive impact on an employee’s creativity. According to Forbes, changing workplace design is one of the top 5 trends that shape the workforce in 2025.
4. Customizable Wellness Programs
Different employees have different needs. Allowing employees the flexibility to choose which benefits work for them can make them feel supported. It can make them feel seen by making a program that is tailored to each individual. It can show the employees that they are being taken care of.
5. Workplace Wellness as a Business Strategy
organizations are realising the importance of workplace wellness. According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, nearly 50% of businesses in the U.S. have some form of a wellness program. These days, people are becoming more health-conscious than ever. Having a strong wellness program gives businesses a better opportunity to attract potential employees.
Conclusion:
As a leader, you must always strive to make sure that your employees reach their maximum potential. But, at the same time, you don’t want them to fly too close to the sun like Icarus. Employee burnout can oftentimes go unnoticed. It can also vastly impact an organization. That is why it is important to have workplace wellness programs. As Richard Branson said:
“Clients do not come first. Employees come first. If you take care of your employees, they will take care of the clients.”
