Benefits of workplace wellness programs

If your company is considering launching a workplace wellness program, employee well-being and increased employee engagement may be primary motivations. But a wellness program can be more than an employment benefit. Instead, think of it as a strategic asset that drives sustainable growth for your company.

Wellness programs take a holistic approach to supporting employee well-being. They encourage healthy lifestyle behaviors, provide avenues for increased physical activity, and offer a wide range of preventative services. As a result, they lead to reduced health care costs and contribute to a strong foundation of wellness that can yield unexpected dividends for your workforce and your business.

Wellness programs help boost the health of your executive leadership. But the programs also positively affect and bolster your bottom line.

When your key employees don’t feel well, they’re less likely to come to work. Or, if they do, they’re nearly 20% less productive. Every day they’re not at the top of their game, your efficiency and output drop. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that employee absenteeism leads to $225 billion of productivity losses in the United States every year.

• Employee assistance programs that streamline access to preventive screenings and primary care services help employees manage chronic conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure.
• Mental health resources give employees the tools to lower anxiety and improve stress reduction.
• Exercise classes can increase employee engagement and energy levels.

In addition, wellness programs improve talent retention. Even small initiatives show your personnel that you’re invested in their long-term well-being. And employees are more apt to stay in jobs where they feel valued. Consequently, with a wellness program in place, you can avoid the added expenses of recruiting, hiring, and training new staff.

Wellness programs also give employees easier access to preventative health services like biometric screenings and cancer screenings. Workers who take advantage of these services have improved health outcomes, so they have reduced health care costs overall. For example, existing research also shows they make fewer trips to the emergency room or an urgent care center, and they’re 72% likely to be admitted to the hospital.

Wellness programs can play a pivotal role in growing your bottom line and controlling costs. But their most lasting impact may be the imprint they leave on your organizational identity. In many ways, wellness programs are integral to forging an enhanced company culture that’s rooted in positivity and supportiveness.

Adding this type of program to your benefits package can make your employees feel seen and heard, fostering better employee morale. It shows them that you’re invested in their well-being both at work and at home.

As a result, they’re happier, more engaged, and more enthusiastic about work. That level of job satisfaction with top-tier employees often sets an optimistic tone that trickles down to everyone else. When leaders prioritize their health, it creates a thriving office culture that can stave off burnout.

Wellness in the workplace is a necessity for organizational development and success. Doing it in a strategic way with a well-designed, customized program is a win-win for your company and your employees.

Wellness programs that offer resources and services that address your employees’ needs are wise investments. It’s a move that keeps your workforce — and your bottom line — healthy.

Discover how we can partner together to elevate your corporate wellness strategy. Contact our MDVIP to learn more.