WELLNESS AT WORK

The Importance Of Wellness At Work Programs

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.

Looking after both the physical and mental health of colleagues is such a focus for organisations in today's environment; it begs the question - can you afford NOT to have a wellness program for your colleagues.

At My Life Tonic we like to support organisations throughout the year with a series of regular activities from workshops, live yoga or desk yoga classes, email series on specific subject areas to running challenges for the colleagues to take part in.

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 Wellness Programs at work

According to research, and with 52% of U.S. companies offering wellness programs here are some of broader benefits

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.
Reduced absenteeism by 14-19%.
About 87% of employees consider health and wellness offerings when choosing an employer
More than 68% of employers prioritize well-being as a business objective.

Of employers offering wellness programs have also found

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

How to Promote Wellness at Work

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.
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.

Wellness programs - in summary

Wellness at work is not only beneficial but essential for creating a healthy, productive and engaged workforce. By investing in employee well-being, 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.

At My Life Tonic, our aim is to support organisations and their staff with a range of initiatives that will support both their physical wellbeing as well as their mental health.

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References

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/