There are several different types of programs for improving the health of your employees, and the kind of program you choose depends on the size and budget of your company. Some companies focus on one chronic condition, while others focus on preventing, managing, or even curing chronic diseases. Programs aimed at disease management are expensive and targeted toward medium to large companies. Smaller companies may not have enough employees with chronic conditions to justify costs.
Work-life balance
A work-life balance program is vital to an organization’s wellness strategy. By encouraging employees to engage in activities outside the office, employers can improve employee health and reduce the risk of various illnesses. For example, mental disorders are common among employees who work under stress and are demotivated. As a result, these employees do not perform well in the workplace, so the company suffers. Conversely, employees who feel satisfied with their work are more productive, have better focus, and can control their time.
Another critical aspect of a work-life balance program is promoting a family-friendly workplace. Although not every job has a family-friendly culture, some employers provide childcare, offer after-school programs, and even occasional outings with employees’ families. Some employers even provide paid or unpaid leave to help employees care for family members. While it may seem a considerable expense, work-life balance programs are well worth the cost. Thus, a better employee health program is vital for the success of an organization.
Physical activities
Driving an environment where employees engage in physical activities is critical to your company’s overall health and productivity. You invest in your employees, from hiring and training to benefits and compensation. By driving a culture of physical activity, you can protect your investment in them and maximize the help of your human capital and productivity. A healthy workforce will improve your company’s bottom line. But how do you get started?
There are many ways to encourage employees to increase physical activity. In addition to its general benefits, increased physical activity reduces the risk of developing major illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. In addition, an active workforce is happier, more productive, and better able to handle stressful situations. Exercising releases endorphins, which have been proven to have positive psychological effects. Employees who exercise regularly have fewer sick days and are generally more productive.
Mental health education
Employers can encourage employees to pay attention to their mental health by providing mental health resources and education. They can also conduct health fairs and email newsletters or download calendars that offer tips on reducing stress and improving mental well-being. These programs may include information about preventing depression and substance abuse and meditation classes or mindfulness techniques. However, the most effective approach is to have both educational and supportive resources in the workplace.
A recent study found that one out of every five adults in the United States will experience a mental disorder each year, yet only one-third of people who need help receive it. As a result, many employees miss work or perform less efficiently on the job. This phenomenon is known as presenteeism when an employee cannot attend an appointment because of a mental health condition. According to the World Health Organization, the costs of depression and anxiety to the global economy are around $1 trillion and $4 trillion annually.
Stress management
There is a proven link between workplace stress and poor health. Stress management programs are an essential element of a healthy work environment and help employees build a more resilient workforce. According to Dr. Susan David, a clinical psychologist, an empowered workforce creates a more resilient company. In addition to improving the health of your employees, stress management programs also help you establish a culture of well-being that focuses on mental, physical, and emotional well-being.
Research has shown that employees with high levels of workplace stress are less engaged and productive and miss more days of work than their less-stressed counterparts. According to the American Psychological Association, stress is responsible for more than $300 billion in lost productivity yearly. In addition, chronic stress causes a range of health problems in workers, including cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes. It also increases the risk of mental illnesses and leads to lower productivity.
Sustainable operations
For corporate social responsibility, companies need to make sustainable operations a top priority. By doing so, they will improve their ESG performance and increase employee loyalty, efficiency, and productivity. In addition, employees in the 21st century are primarily concerned with their work-life balance and mission, and companies that invest in sustainability create an employer brand that employees find enticing. In this way, employees are treated as critical stakeholders and feel like they are part of something bigger than themselves.
As companies become more aware of their environmental and health responsibilities, they become more conscious of how they conduct business. For example, Unilever has begun to reduce the length of the end seals on tea bags. By doing this, the company has saved 15 huge reels of paper, saving EUR47,500 and 9.3 tonnes of paper each shift. In addition, by creating a more conscious company, employees are more likely to engage in healthy competition, which stimulates creativity and helps to eliminate resentment.
