Employee wellness programs have become a staple in many companies to keep employees happy and productive, and decrease employee turnover. If wellness isn’t a priority for your small business, you may want to reevaluate. Many companies are providing generous benefits that promote healthy eating, and physical activity. Below is a list of employee wellness ideas to get you started.
Offer health snacks
When it comes to employee perks, few things are as simply satisfying as free food and drinks. If you want your employees to be healthy, then they need to eat healthy. It’s important to provide snacks that are nutritious for the staff. Providing free breakfast for employees and stock the kitchen with snacks, such as hummus, fruit and vegetables.
Provide gym memberships
Offer a gym membership for your employees or find a nearby gym and try to negotiate a group rate for your employees in order to convince more of them to join. This could be a great way to not only increase how much they’re moving each day, but could also be a great way to attract employees – particularly if you’re looking to recruit young adults.
Offer Standing Desks
Sitting at a desk all day can be a major detriment to the health of office workers. Even exercising regularly may not undo the damage caused from prolonged sitting. Adding to the sizable body of research that shows the health benefits of standing desks — which keep workers more active during the day and relieve nagging problems like lower back pain — a new study has found that working upright also makes people more productive. By offering standing or hybrid desks your employees have the option to stand or move around more throughout the day.
Smoking Cessation Programs
The Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC)s has found that worksite-based smoking cessation programs are effective in reducing tobacco use among workers. Recognize that incentives are fine for getting people in the door, but for continued engagement in smoking cessation programs smokers need education on benefits of quitting, resources and tools, appropriate incentives, and employer support. If you have any smokers in your office, encouraging them to kick the habit could lead to a major wellness win for your team as a whole.
Host a Weight Loss Challenge
Set up an office weight-loss challenge to create healthy competition and camaraderie. One person might win, but everyone benefits from getting healthy. A study published in a 2012 issue of Obesity found that when people are supported and inspired, such as by co-workers, they have a better chance of losing weight. Establish a start date and end date. Six, eight, 10 and 12 weeks are all long enough for participants to make change without resorting to drastic measures. These periods are also short enough so people won’t lose focus and interest. You may also offer a small prize every few weeks to someone who’s shown exceptional commitment or progress.
Ask for Employee Input
As with any major employee initiatives you start in your business, it’s important to get input throughout the process. Have a survey or just have conversations with your employees about what they think would help improve wellness around the office.
Employees who believe that their employer genuinely cares about their health report higher well-being and engagement with their job. Businesses are thinking more about health, and particularly thinking a lot more about how they can bring better options into the office setting. Get started today in creating a happier and healthy workforce. How does your office encourage wellness? Tell us.
