Over 30% of an individual’s life is spent at work. If you take into consideration that the remaining 70% is allocated for eating, sleeping, household chores, shuffling kids to and from activities, and more – it doesn’t leave much time for regular exercise. Yet, for employees to thrive, it’s important that they feel motivated to take care of themselves both in and outside of the work environment. This is why employees must be offered health and wellness programs in the workplace.
Top 5 Benefits of Workplace Wellness
Many employers believe it is the employees’ responsibility to stay healthy outside of working hours. To a certain degree, it is. Employees should be getting plenty of sleep and eating healthily each evening. However, after working 8+ hours a day, hitting the gym is likely one of the last things on their minds.
A recent occupational health and wellness program study found health and wellness programs offered in the workplace resulted in five key benefits.
Greater program adherence
When compared to wellness programs that employees choose to take part in on their own, employee health and wellness programs offered in the workplace showed a greater attendance and retention rate. Furthermore, if these wellness programs are offered in a group setting, employees are more likely to take part, due to peer accountability. By increasing adherence to these programs, employers will see better short and long-term benefits, such as a reduction in workplace injuries, and an overall increase in employee wellness.
Reduced pain intensity
With continued participation in workplace wellness programs, employees reported a reduction in pain located in their necks, shoulders, and/or lower backs. This is not only due to increased movement and stretching, but also basic strength-building exercises that can be taught through resistance bands.
Decreased absences due to illness
Exercise releases endorphins. Employees are left feeling productive, and motivated, and have the desire to continue to make healthy choices. By taking part in light exercise daily, employees will reduce their risk of illness. Furthermore, employers and showing employees that their wellness matters, which creates positive morale within the company.
Improved ability to complete job tasks
The ability to complete job tasks was also enhanced with employee health and wellness programs . Employees found that taking part in a workplace wellness program increased their productivity, focus, and motivation to get their work done.
Increased muscle strength
For employees to complete any physical elements of their jobs, increased muscle strength will be important. Not only does it make employees more efficient, but it also reduces the risk of on-site work injuries.
Occupational Health and Wellness Program Options
Many employers consider discounted gym memberships as their primary option for employee health and wellness incentives. We challenge this theory. As the study confirms, employee health and wellness programs offered in the workplace are more effective than those employees are expected to participate in on their own time. Yet, this does not mean employers need to invest in an on-site gym. Alternatively, here are three different, low-cost options.
- Resistance Training – Employees can take part in 10-15 minute resistance band training that will help strengthen primary muscle groups. This also increases muscle tone, flexibility, and mobility. Additionally, these programs are easily instructed, cost-effective, and produce substantial health benefits that reduce the risk of workplace injuries.
- Employee Stretching Programs – Participating in a three-minute stretching program throughout the work day successfully engages muscles, improves movement, and reduces the risk of strains and sprains.
- Walking Groups – Completing a low-intensity workout, like walking for 15-20 minutes will increase your heart rate, as well as the synovial fluid found within your joints, allowing for increased ease in movement and a reduction in joint pain.
Your staff is valuable. Invest in them and their well-being.
Regardless of which occupational health and wellness program you choose you must consider two things upon implementation. First, the program should be set up for group participation. This encourages participation at a mass scale, increases accountability, and makes it harder for employees not to participate. Second, the program should be offered during productive working hours. This means, not during employee breaks or mealtimes. If it is offered during those times, employees are likely going to opt out, as that is the only time during the working day that they can take time to run errands, make phone calls, refuel their bodies with nutrition, etc.
The latter part of these two requirements may create an issue for employers. As an employer, you want your employees to be productive. The idea of stopping production to allow employees to stretch or take a short walk during this time may seem unnecessary. However, by doing so, the organization is creating a wellness culture. You are showing staff members that they are more important than the bottom line – that their health matters.
This will make employees feel a higher sense of value and appreciation, which results in higher morale and company loyalty. Furthermore, if they believe that their employers care about their health enough to provide employee health and wellness programs during the work day, perhaps they should be taking more steps in their lives to make healthier choices.
For questions on how to implement pre-shift exercise programs, health and wellness programs, or additional support for your teams, reach out to our specialists in our workplace injury prevention program for a no-cost analysis of your business’s needs.
