According to data from the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Health Research and Educational Trust, 98 percent of large companies and 73 percent of small businesses offer their employees a wellness program. From gym memberships to medical screening, health coaching and more, companies are taking a greater interest in the health and wellness of their workforce. A healthy workforce is more productive and happy. They are less likely to call off, and they also keep healthcare costs lower. Should your company be focusing more on employee wellness?
Wellness in Practice
Today, your employees are always on the go. They have a lot to balance between their professional lives and their personal lives. Americans’ schedules are more demanding than ever, leading to higher stress levels, which ultimately impacts physical and mental health. Stressed-out, anxious and sick employees can’t focus adequately on their daily tasks, they get sick and have to see the doctor more often, leading to increased healthcare costs.
Companies that focus on wellness programs that target lifestyle management, disease prevention and disease management can counteract the effects of stress on the workforce. According to Nova Medical Group, some companies with defined wellness initiatives have been able to see a 3:1 ROI on costs in terms of absenteeism and healthcare costs.
Furthermore, those companies also reap the benefits that come with a healthier and happier team. Their employees report that they feel more valued and therefore they are more loyal to the organization, call off less and produce more throughout the day.
Choice and Incentives Yield Results
So how do you know where to start with a wellness program for your employees? According to Kaiser’s research, the companies with the best results offer their employees a variety of wellness programs to choose from. Nearly 90 percent of workers who tried a new activity, thanks to a corporate wellness program, told the Kaiser Foundation they felt inspired to continue it on a regular basis.
Rewards and incentives are also popular, according to research from Fidelity Investments and the National Business Group For Health. Their study found that companies with successful programs offer incentives like cash, insurance premium reductions, copay reductions, gift cards and vouchers for participating in weight loss programs, smoking cessation programs and fitness programs. Incentives of $100 or more increase engagement in wellness programs by 75 percent.
Reduce Stress by Managing Workload
Workloads change throughout the year, but employers should be careful not to burn out the team when demand is high. Stress can compound when people are forced to work longer hours than usual or manage impossibly tight deadlines. During these periods of high demand, it is worthwhile to utilize contract and consulting staff to help manage workloads.
If your company is looking to attract and retain top technical engineering talent on a full-time or contract basis, reach out to the expert recruiters at Selectek today. We can connect you with the professionals who add real value to a team.
