IMPORTANCE OF WELLNESS INITIATIVES

Wellness At Work

Wellness at work is not just a buzzword or a trend. It is a vital aspect of creating a healthy, productive and engaged workforce.

Wellness at work encompasses; physical, mental and social well-being, and involves providing employees with the support, resources and opportunities they need to thrive in their work environment.

Why Wellness At Work Matters

Wellness at work matters for both employees and employers.

For employees, wellness at work can improve their health, happiness, motivation, performance and retention.

For employers, wellness at work can reduce costs, increase productivity, enhance reputation and attract talent.

Benefits of offering wellness programs at work:

52% of U.S. companies offer wellness programs, and 72% of employers saw a reduction in healthcare costs after implementing a wellness program.
The average return on investment (ROI) for employee wellness programs is six-to-one.
Wellness programs can reduce absenteeism by 14-19%.
About 87% of employees consider health and wellness offerings when choosing an employer, and more than 68% of employers prioritize well-being as a business objective.

Of employers offering wellness programs,

67% reported increased employee satisfaction
66% reported increased productivity
63% reported increased financial sustainability and growth
50% reported decreased absenteeism.

How To Promote Wellness In The Workplace

Promoting wellness at work requires a holistic and strategic approach that addresses the health risks and needs of the workforce. Some of the best practices for promoting wellness at work include:

Conducting a wellness needs assessment to identify the current state of employee health and well-being, as well as the gaps and opportunities for improvement.
Developing a wellness vision, mission and goals that align with the organizational culture and values, and communicate them clearly to all stakeholders.
Designing and implementing a comprehensive wellness program that covers various dimensions of well-being, such as physical activity, nutrition, mental health, stress management, social connection and work-life balance.
Providing employees with access to wellness resources, such as health screenings, coaching, education, incentives, policies and facilities.
Engaging employees in wellness activities, such as challenges, events, workshops, webinars and peer support groups.
Evaluating and measuring the outcomes and impact of the wellness program on employee health and well-being, as well as organizational performance and profitability.

In Summary

Wellness at work is not only beneficial but essential for creating a healthy, productive and engaged workforce. By investing in employee wellbeing, employers can reap significant rewards in terms of cost savings, productivity gains, reputation enhancement and talent attraction. Wellness at work is not a one-time initiative but an ongoing commitment that requires leadership support, employee involvement and continuous improvement.

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If you'd like to find out more, here are some of the links featuring the stats

https://www.cipd.org/uk/knowledge/reports/health-well-being-work/

https://www.cipd.org/globalassets/media/comms/news/ahealth-wellbeing-work-report-2022_tcm18-108440.pdf

https://www.myshortlister.com/insights/employee-wellness-statistics

https://www.zippia.com/advice/employee-wellness-statistics/