As an employer in 2024, you’re likely well-acquainted with the importance of employee wellbeing, a trending topic that continues to gain traction with each passing year. However, many employers are unaware of all of the benefits an employee wellness program can offer.
The generalized term of “employee wellbeing” refers to the general health of your staff – including their mental, emotional, and physical health. From a holistic perspective, employee wellbeing looks at how a person is doing, including their social wellbeing, financial wellbeing, and more.
Not only is staff wellbeing vital to pay attention to for the benefit of employees themselves, but employers should also recognize the impact wellbeing has on the performance of staff. According to research by Gallup, poor wellbeing of staff can have a serious effect on businesses. For example, research found that employees who are not engaged experienced a 61% higher likelihood of burnout than those who are engaged and thriving. This ultimately means more turnover and less productivity for your business.
Retention through wellbeing at the workplace starts with putting workplace wellness programs into action. Below, explore the top seven reasons your company should consider corporate health initiatives and learn the benefits these initiatives can have on company culture and productivity.
7 Reasons to Support Employee Wellbeing
Before you can implement any employee engagement strategies, it’s important to fully understand the benefits both for your staff and your organization. Not only will staff feel recognized and supported in a healthier work environment, but employers can benefit from the enhanced overall success of their staff.
1. Enhanced Productivity
An employee’s mental health at work is critical to how they can perform and the rate at which they can work effectively. As such, supporting your staff’s occupational wellbeing can result in happier, more productive staff. Research published by the APA found that 9 in 10 workers felt more productive and motivated if they felt that their employer cared about their wellbeing.
2. Lower Healthcare Costs
Investing in the health and wellness of your staff can ultimately help your business to lower healthcare costs. In a Harvard Business Review article, researchers found that employee health initiatives saved J&J $250 million in healthcare costs over the last decade.
By supporting the physical health of employees through various initiatives, your staff will remain healthier and may be at a reduced risk for developing chronic health ailments. Some examples of programs include step challenges or providing staff with an on-site fitness center.
3. Reduced Absenteeism
Another way workplace wellness programs can benefit your company is by reducing absenteeism. Studies have shown that wellness programs can help reduce absenteeism among employees by an average of 25.3%. More staff working every day ultimately results in better productivity and success for your business. Fewer sick days for your team also means more continuity of work and less stress on other employees working on the same team.
4. Attracting and Retaining Talent
When it comes to hiring and retention strategies, employee wellness programs can also offer benefits for your business. Workers who prioritize health are attracted to work for companies that show concern and care for their overall wellness.
Examples of strategies that can support a healthier work environment include wellness screenings, wellness education and events, and gym membership reimbursement. These benefits may help your company to set itself apart from others who do not offer these benefits, thereby helping to attract and retain staff. A study published in the Society for Human Resource Management found that companies with wellness programs had overall lower turnover rates (about 25%) than those who did not.
5. Improved Company Culture
Creating a company culture that supports health and wellness can help to improve the morale of your entire team. Workers who feel supported tend to have better connections and relationships with team members, helping to improve productivity as well.
6. Greater Employee Engagement
One of the primary goals of employee engagement strategies is to help boost engagement among staff. By decreasing employee stress through multiple wellness programs, the workplace culture transforms into a supportive, stress-free environment. As a result, workers are more engaged in their work and have an overall higher job satisfaction.
In research by Forbes, 87% of participants said they consider an employer’s wellness offerings before accepting a position.
7. Better Financial Outcomes
An effective strategy to support mental health at work can contribute to overall better financial outcomes for your business. The combination of reduced turnover, fewer healthcare costs, and staff that are more productive are all ingredients that play into your overall success. While investing in a wellness program may cost money out-of-pocket, consider it an investment that can help support better financial outcomes in the long run.
Getting Started
Implementing wellness programs takes time and strategic thought, especially for companies starting from scratch. Many companies want to rush into putting wellness programs into place without considering the needs of their specific staff. Before starting planning for an employee engagement strategy, take the time needed to brainstorm and gather data about the needs of your team.
All in all, companies in our modern era must consider the importance of implementing employee wellness programs to support the health of their staff. In addition to happier and healthier staff, your business can also benefit from improved employee engagement, reduced healthcare costs, reduced absenteeism, and so much more.
Want to learn more about giving your team the tools it needs to succeed? Contact RemoteWorx today to request a free demo!
