8 Little Known Workplace Wellness Secrets

18 Jul 2019

Corporate fitness is becoming extremely popular. The old saying “healthy body, healthy mind” is proving itself to be true, with these programs being linked to increased productivity and staff satisfaction levels across a wide range of businesses and industries.

Corporate wellness programs involve a lot more than just a weekly yoga session or a monthly massage. Different companies will implement them in different ways, and that’s just fine. What’s important is that you’re thinking about the role that health and wellness can play and are implementing a strategy to improve the health and wellbeing of your workforce.

Regardless of what form it takes - whether it’s corporate fitness, health advice, education session or other elements - every corporate wellness program should aim to make your workplace a happier and more productive environment.

If you’re looking at refining your wellness program - or if you don’t currently have one and are looking to put something in place - here are 8 little known secrets you need to be aware of to get it right.

There’s No Single Definition Of Wellness

Believe it or not, there’s no “correct” way to do a corporate fitness or wellness program. The right approach is one that’s tailored to your circumstances and relevant to your employees.

It’s not just about exercise. Many companies focus on health education, some incorporate mindfulness and meditation, while others offer services like biometric screening.

It’s all about finding the right fit for you. That way people will properly engage with the program and you have a much better chance of getting the results you’re looking for.

It’s A Lot Easier Than You Might Think

Many organisations put a corporate wellness program in the “too hard” basket without actually looking into what it takes to run them. The good news is that they don’t have to be difficult to manage or take up a lot of resources.

Wellness programs can be easily managed by committee to help break up the responsibilities. Similarly, they can be incorporated with a wider HR role.

There are also a vast amount of credible sources of information available online to help make the process even easier. In addition to this, there are now a lot of companies dedicated to employee health (such as us!), so you can easily outsource your corporate fitness and wellness programs to professionals.

They Can Be Really Inclusive

Some people worry about their wellness programs favouring fit & healthy individuals and alienating those that aren’t as in shape. The truth of the matter is that this doesn’t have to be the case.

Corporate fitness and wellness programs can address elements like emotional wellbeing, financial wellness and mental health. This means that people are able to engage with the program on a level that suits them and can benefit from a holistic approach.

You Can Adapt Them To Suit Your Corporate Culture

Wellness is really adaptable because health can mean very different things in different contexts. That’s why it’s important to take evidenced-based health information and apply it to your specific circumstances and company culture.

If you work in a high pressure environment, this might mean focusing on mental wellbeing and ways of dealing with stress. Similarly, if you work in an office environment, it might mean you focus on the dangers of a sedentary lifestyle.

Ultimately, it means finding the kind of wellness activities that your employees want to be a part of and dealing with the issues that are actually a challenge at your company.

They Can Embrace Exciting New Technologies

Corporate fitness programs don’t just have to be about yoga mats and cardio sessions. Wearables like Fitbits enable employees to track their progress and work towards certain goals. They can also be used to encourage a bit of healthy competition within the workplace.

Various online platforms can also be utilised to allow employees access to health information at all times.

They Generate A Fantastic ROI

Because employee wellbeing doesn’t show up on a balance sheet, it can be tempting to view corporate fitness and wellbeing programs as wasted money. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Numerous studies have shown that wellness programs have an average ROI of 3:1. Beyond the direct financial gains associated with a more motivated and productive workforce, reductions in staff turnover, employee stress and total sick days all help contribute to a much healthier bottom line.

They’re Really Popular

If corporate fitness and wellness programs really were a waste of money, then hardly any companies would implement them. Given that 92% of companies with over 200 employees now offer a wellness program, you can safely draw the conclusion that they’re worth the investment.

Lots of smaller companies are now getting in on the act as well. Regardless of the size of your workforce, a wellness program is going to be beneficial.

It’s All About Your Employees

While costs, productivity increases and ROI are all very important aspects of corporate fitness and wellness programs, it shouldn’t be their sole focus. At the end of the day, it’s about the value added to your company and your human capital.

A good wellness program is one that has been designed for your employees. It should help them learn and make healthier lifestyle choices within the context of their lives and your company culture.

Need help with your corporate fitness and wellness program? We have a range of services - from fitness classes to massages - that can help take the pain and hassle out of organising things. Get in touch with us today to find out more!

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