Workplace wellness programs are advantageous both for business owners and employees by helping to lower the rate of absenteeism while at the same time bringing greater resilience and quality of life to those who participate in wellness benefits. Based on a recent survey, this is something that company managers largely agree with, and as such, intend to continue implementing these programs in the years ahead.
More than 95 percent of organizations in a new poll indicate that they support well-being programs, according to nonprofit human resources association WorldatWork. Additionally, and perhaps as a result, nearly 75 percent said that they plan on making well-being offerings more available to their workers over the next 24 months.
Rose Stanley, WorldatWork senior practice leader, indicated that while creating the means with which to help employees get into better shape is a good start, there's a lot more to it than this, which companies who've implemented workplace wellness programs have come to understand.
"Today, we're seeing more companies create flexible work schedules, introduce financial literacy tools, offer unique child-care and elder-care assistance programs and promote stress and time management skills," said Stanley. "All of these integrated approaches encourage a more successful and productive workforce."
Most would continue offering wellness programs if health coverage was pulled
Due to cost constraints, some organizations have decided to no longer offer employee-sponsored health care. The Affordable Care Act mandates that medium-to-large business owners make coverage available to their workers, but this is not something that's required of small business owners, those whose staff totals 50 or fewer. The poll found that even if employee benefits were to be pulled, well-being programs would stay. For example, 95 percent indicated that they would maintain workplace safety initiatives and 92 percent said that they would continue to support workers to make well-being their focus when away from the office.
There are those employee wellness initiatives, however, that business owners say they would do away with, if for no other reason than to preserve what resources go toward programs that lead to results. For example, 29 percent said they'd stop offering resiliency training, the same percentage also pointed to disease management and 26 percent would drop wellness coaching.
Complimenting employees on what they do well key
Human resources experts point out that as important as physical wellness is, mental well-being is equally as crucial. For example, while constructive criticism can help workers improve on their skill sets, these critiques should be complemented with words of encouragement, citing what employees do well.
According to a study from the VIA Institute on Character, roughly one-third of supervisors can name the strengths of their employees, but only 1 in 3 are speaking to their workers about what these are.
Michelle McQuaid, a workplace well-being expert, said that employees who are not appropriately supplied with positive reinforcement are typically the ones whose productivity may be struggling.
"If you want to turn disengaged employees around, sit down with them," said McQuaid. "Ask them when do they feel the most engaged, energized and happy at work, then focus on developing these strengths moving forward."
