Employee Health Wellness Initiatives: Understanding the Nuances
The prevalence of sedentary behaviour among office workers is a matter of concern. Whether employees are working remotely or in an office setting, there is a noticeable rise in sedentary behaviours and a decline in physical activity. The 9-to-5 work routine is standard worldwide, where people are often desk-bound from the moment they enter the office until they leave. Those working 40 hours a week often find it challenging to make time for regular exercise, especially when juggling family commitments and other responsibilities. As a result, a concerning portion of employees follow a sedentary lifestyle, accompanied by unhealthy dietary choices.
A 2020 study by the Department of Family Medicine in Korea indicates that a sedentary lifestyle, marked by long periods of sitting and little physical activity, is linked to various health risks. A significant worry is the higher chance of obesity. Sitting for extended periods lowers energy expenditure and slows metabolism, potentially causing weight gain since the body burns fewer calories than with regular physical activity. So, how can one escape these unhealthy patterns and achieve a more balanced and fulfilling work-life equation?
Employee health and wellness initiatives help with improving well-being both inside and outside the office. They extend beyond typical health programs, salary benefits, or perks provided by organisations. These initiatives play a vital role in shaping your company culture. However, such efforts won’t succeed if they prioritise business benefits over employee wellbeing. It leads to a corporate wellness system that fails to fulfil its intended purpose.
Employee Health Wellness Initiatives for a Happy Workforce
Promoting wellness at work is about making small changes that matter. Whether it’s having brief workshops or sessions with health experts or organising healthy potlucks, you can easily inspire your team to make healthier choices. In the end, this can lead to long-term cost savings for businesses.
Here is a curated selection of employee health initiatives designed to promote well-being and contentment among employees.
Encourage Employees to Walk or Bike to Work by Providing Incentives
Anyone who lives relatively close to their workplace and has a convenient commuting route can choose to walk or bike to work. Beyond helping the environment by cutting carbon emissions, walking and biking have proven physical benefits, enhancing mood and productivity. Consider adding a small stipend to cover bike equipment, maintenance, or supportive footwear. Some companies even provide free or discounted bikes for commuting and leisure. For those unable to walk or bike, extend similar incentives for coworkers who are carpooling.
Elevate employee engagement and well-being with a comprehensive Corporate Wellness Program that goes beyond the ordinary
Healthy Eating Initiatives
Even when employees are on their lunch break, it’s essential not to overlook their wellbeing. After all, lunchtime provides an opportunity for employees to relax and recharge. Initiate at least an hour-long lunch break to allow employees to eat at a comfortable pace without feeling rushed. Ensure they step away from their workstations to enjoy a well-deserved break.
For companies with cafeterias or pantries, promoting healthy eating can include:
- Substituting fried and oily snacks with baked alternatives.
- Introducing freshly prepared salads with health-friendly and low-fat dressings.
- Install a juicer in the kitchen and avoid soda, energy drinks, or packaged drinks.
- Providing a spacious fridge for employees to bring in homemade meals.
- Offering fruits, nuts, or protein bars to encourage mindful snacking during breaks.
Get Moving
Many companies now offer fitness programs or gym facilities to enhance employee health. When planning, it’s vital to consider your team’s preferences and abilities for better participation. Some may prefer yoga or Zumba, while others like more intense exercises. To promote physical fitness at work:
- Share sign-up sheets for group workouts, either in or outside the office.
- Create a dedicated workout space in the office for flexible exercise times.
- Schedule after-work yoga classes.
- Arrange company-led marathons or walkathons.
- Support gym memberships or offer discounted fitness sessions with a coach.
- Introduce incentive-based programs to motivate employees to achieve personal health goals.
A typical meeting involves sitting around a table indoors, which adds to the time spent sitting at desks, dealing with emails, taking calls, and writing reports. However, meetings don’t always have to happen around a conference table. While standing meetings and desks have gained popularity, some are now going further by adopting walking meetings, which are essentially meetings on the move. It might be a brief “walk and talk” with a colleague to another part of the building or a more organised 20-minute walk with a few colleagues to brainstorm ideas or discuss a problem.
Promote Employee Wellbeing Days
A well-being day can be a special occasion to celebrate employee health or a designated day off for rest. Offering healthy meals on specific days, like “Wellness Wednesdays,” or initiatives such as “Fit Fridays” encourage employees to compete for fitness goals during the workday. Consider adding a health MOT (Measurements, Observations and Tests) to your wellness day, with packages catering to different budgets. Comprehensive packages may include blood tests, BMI analysis, breathing assessments, cardiovascular evaluations, ECG, and a personalised health report. Premium packages might even offer a follow-up call with a General practitioner MOT.
Implement an Ergonomic Set-up
To make the most of workplace wellness programs, it’s crucial for your employees to feel comfortable. Bad ergonomics can cause long-term repetitive stress injuries, but setting up an ergonomic workspace can reduce fatigue and enhance safety and productivity. Bring in a professional to provide ergonomic office equipment like sit-to-stand desks, footpads, stools, and chairs with added lower back support for your employees.
Remote Wellness Initiatives
With the new age culture of hybrid and remote working, for most of us, working equals to screen hours. However, remote workers are most often than not, quite distant from any corporate or centralised office. Extend benefits to those working from home to keep them engaged in your new wellness programs. Encouraging collaboration, whether in person or online, can also reduce feelings of isolation.
Technology has made it possible for employee wellness programs for remote workers to achieve nearly everything a live on-site program could. For example, utilising HealthifyMe programs, available on both iOS and Android apps, can assist employees in adopting and sustaining healthier nutritional and physical health behaviours.
Use a Web-based or App-based Wellness Platform
A web-based or app-based wellness platform is a software application that manages online wellness programs. A reliable wellness platform, such as HealthifyMe, can administer every aspect of a wellness program, particularly enabling remote workers to participate virtually in incentive programs, wellness meetings, challenges, health coaching, and screenings. HealthifyMe facilitates top-notch physical wellness guidance to all employees, regardless of their location.
Provide Wellness Stipend
Offering employees the flexibility to choose their own self-care and wellness methods can be a great approach. Consider providing a fixed yearly stipend that covers various wellness resources. By allowing employees to decide what promotes their health, you ensure they benefit from their chosen wellness method, fostering goodwill in the workplace.
The Final Word
Tailor your wellness program to meet the unique needs of your workplace. Listen attentively to employees’ expressions of needs and take them seriously. Once you’ve implemented the program, conduct regular check-ins for honest feedback on its effectiveness. Be open to making adjustments as needed and actively seek suggestions.
HealthifyMe understands that successful wellness programs are personalised and detail-oriented. Inclusivity is vital, with participation from employees at all levels, including company leaders. The goal of a workplace wellness program is to enhance health, so it’s crucial to avoid burdening employees with additional obligations such as strict dietary restrictions and intense physical routines.
Research Sources
1. Sedentary Lifestyle: Overview of Updated Evidence of Potential Health Risks