Companies only make a profit when their employees are well enough to perform the work necessary to keep the business functioning. Businesses, large and small alike, institute wellness programs that encourage employees to take the time to focus on their physical and mental health. While these programs vary greatly in what they include and how they're implemented and presented, many companies find them to be a solid investment in one of the business's most precious resources -- its people.
Types
Wellness programs in the workplace usually incorporate several elements important to good health and general well-being. Most programs focus largely on exercise and nutrition as part of a weight-management plan. This is particularly common in office settings where the sedentary nature of the work can contribute to weight gain and associated health problems. Other wellness programs incorporate information on ergonomics to prevent work-related injuries, especially repetitive stress injuries, smoking cessation and techniques for managing stress.
Implementation
How well an employee wellness program achieves the desired goal or results depends largely on how it is implemented. Outlining the program's goals is the first step. Some companies may want to focus on fun events, such as weight loss competitions or family fun days that include physical activities and healthy snacks for employees and their families. Other programs take a more standard approach by educating employees about the overall factors that contribute to their health through seminars about nutrition, the dangers of smoking, the importance of ergonomics and other health-related issues. Some companies choose to survey their employees prior to developing a plan for a wellness program to see what types of events or information interest them. Focusing on marketing a new program to top-level employees can help everyone get on board, according to Bob Brady, founder and CEO of Business & Legal Resources, a compliance information company.
Benefits
Wellness programs benefit employees and employers alike. Employees may feel less stressed and have increased job satisfaction if they work for a company that they believe values their health. Wellness programs that focus on good nutrition and healthy exercise allow employees to have a reminder of the importance of their overall health and how it ties into their daily lives. This may encourage them to make healthier choices, particularly since they can encourage and receive support from coworkers. Employers benefit by having employees who have lower health care costs and take off fewer days from work, allowing them to maximize profits and productivity when they invest in their workers' health.
Considerations
It is not in every employer's best interest to institute a wellness program. Those that do must be mindful of employee concerns. It's difficult to analyze the return on investment for wellness programs, since it may take years to see the positive effects and it is difficult to know whether the program was directly responsible for an employee's weight loss or better overall health. Some companies also have difficulty getting employees to participate, which may lead to spending even more money on incentive programs. Alternatively, some employers may choose to penalize employees for certain health-related transgressions. For example, PepsiCo began charging smokers a $600 fee in 2008 as an incentive for employees to take advantage of its smoking-cessation program, which included nicotine replacement therapy.
References
- Quintessential Careers: Workplace Wellness Programs: A Winning Idea
- HR Daily Advisor: Workplace Wellness Programs: Can They Really Pay a 300% Return on Investment?
- USA Today: Cost-Conscious Companies Re-Evaluate Wellness Programs
- Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety: Workplace Health and Wellness Program - Getting Started
- Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety: Samples of Workplace Health Program Elements
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