A healthy workplace is valuable to both employees and the companies they work for.
Workers that are physically and mentally healthy spend less time away from work, feel happier and are more satisfied. They’re also more creative and productive.
National Professional Wellness Month teaches companies and workers about national initiatives that can help keep workers healthy, wealthy and wise. Learn how you can adopt more wellness practices in your workplace.
What Do Employees Need?
According to a 2014 study, wellness has a significant effect on a company’s success:
- 87% of employees surveyed said that wellness positively impacts work culture
- 88% of employees said that access to health and wellness programs is an important factor when choosing a company to work for.
Realizing that healthy employees spend less time away from work, companies have responded well to these insights. They find that providing healthcare becomes less costly for employers when they help their staff avoid chronic conditions. Mental health also has an impact on efficiency. For example, depression can make workers lose motivation to do their jobs correctly.
While some employers nationwide offer wellness programs in the workplace that include physical activity programs, mental health services and smoking cessation programs, employees are asking for more. Two of the top requests among those surveyed were healthy on-site food choices and on-site gyms and fitness classes.
What You Can Do
Many wellness programs at work start with employees giving ideas to their companies. If your workplace needs a health and wellness program, consider suggesting these 5 initiatives to your employer:
“Walk and talk” meetings – These encourage you and your fellow coworkers to avoid sitting for too long and gain the benefits of walks throughout the day. Walking regularly can help you maintain a healthy weight, strengthen your bones, promote a healthy heart, prevent type 2 diabetes and even help you feel happier. And meetings outdoors are more enjoyable.
Keeping healthy food options on hand – A 2014 study found nearly 25% of workers are obese, especially in jobs where much of their day is spent sitting. Access to healthier food can help avert this issue. Stocking vending machines with healthy snacks and providing on-site kitchens where workers can prepare their own meals might encourage healthier food choices. If your company cannot offer either of these, consider bringing your own healthy snacks that need no refrigeration or preparation, such as trail mix or fruit.
On-site fitness programs – Working out regularly is imperative to a healthy lifestyle. It can help reduce stress, aid in lowering blood pressure, help prevent cardiovascular conditions and decrease the risk of cancer. Offering fitness programs on-site promotes a healthier lifestyle and lets employees integrate exercise into their busy schedules. Plus, taking a break from work during the day can help increase creativity. Mental concentration is like a muscle – the mind works better when it is able to rest and recover.
Medical Screenings – Trying to fit routine checkups into a full work schedule can be inconvenient for many. Providing access to medical screenings at work can help workers take better care of themselves. And early detection can help effectively treat and prevent chronic conditions.
Financial incentives – Though many companies do offer health programs, some employees may not be aware or might not be motivated to take advantage of them. Companies that offer financial incentives for employees who get involved may see a significant increase in participation. Once workers have an initial incentive to get started on a fitness program, they might end up sticking to it for the health benefits.
If your friends, family or colleagues may benefit from learning about wellness initiatives in the workplace, feel free to share this article with them.
Sources
http://employeewellnessmonth.com/wellness-insights-resources/
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/fitness/in-depth/walking/art-20046261
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