6 Ways Businesses Can Improve Their Health & Wellness Programs
Research by PwC Health Research Institute found that 3 in 4 employers provide some form of wellness program designed to improve mental health. However, the same study found that employee participation in these programs was often disappointingly low. When implementing health and wellness programs, business leaders can sometimes forget to take into account key considerations that eventually impact the effectiveness of these programs. Poorly executed wellness programs can also potentially harm a company’s ability to attract and retain talent.
Here are 6 ways your business can improve your current health and wellness program.
1. Use Technology to Ensure Equitable Access Regardless of Location
The recent rise of remote work caused by the pandemic has created a challenging problem for some companies that already have on-site health programs in place. Many organisations provide employees access to on-site facilities such as gyms, meditation rooms, and even nurseries. However, even without the pandemic, this can create a divide between on-site workers and remote workers, leading to inconsistent results from the wellness programs that were supposed to be for all. Modern technology can fill that gap by providing access to wellness activities like virtual workout sessions and video coaching.
2. Accommodate Flexible Work Schedules
Allowing employees the option to choose their work schedules gives them a sense of empowerment and motivation. With these programs in place, employees will be more able to customize their work hours based on their individual needs and preferences, therefore increasing work satisfaction and productivity.
3. Provide Access to Preventive Health and Behavior Change Programs Early
The introduction of preventative health screenings and behavior change programs can help businesses identify potential health issues in employees early and allow companies to save medical costs down the road. health issues can lead to significant resources being lost in reduced productivity. Ultimately, effective preventative health programs can help improve productivity levels and reduce long-term medical costs.
4. Conduct Regular Mindfulness Exercises
Mindful exercises or challenges also create an awareness of these distractions and allow employees to take charge of their schedules once more. Providing a mindfulness challenge can also provide additional engagement and accountability for employees to improve their mental well-being.
5. Utilize Gamification to Encourage Participation
Companies that utilize gamification techniques such as challenges with competition and social connection with a rewards-based system can inspire higher levels of participation.
6. Communicate New Wellness Efforts Regularly
While numerous companies introduce health and wellness programs in a bid to reduce healthcare costs, a survey by Virgin HealthMiles revealed that only 41% of employees reported having a good awareness of their employers’ wellness programs. This results in wasted resources from implementing an ineffective wellness program in addition to higher healthcare costs.
The key to closing this awareness gap is constant communication about upcoming challenges, programs, etc. that employees can be more involved in. When managers can communicate the nature of the program and the benefits that employees could receive from participating in it, it incentivizes employees to participate actively and regularly.
WHY CHOOSE US?
At In Bloom, we will not be the right choice for everyone; we only deliver the course for workplaces. We do this because we come from a background of working in the corporate world, and understand the intricacy of today’s workplace. We think it’s important that your facilitator be able to acknowledge the reality on the ground of your employees, and this is part of the value we bring.
For nearly 1 decade we’ve been consulting and helping businesses develop & deliver their wellbeing programs. From this, we’ve gathered insights, benchmarks, and a growing network of advocates for mental health in the first place.
We compliment the course’s structure with our real-life experience, relevant stories, and empathy for the situation of participants. We create an open space with psychological safety were participants can feel comfortable being their authentic self.