How to Promote Wellness in the Workplace in 5 Simple Ways

Today's fast-paced corporate life and high-stress work environments have urged the need to focus more on workplace wellness than ever. In fact, some findings say that, on average, 80% of employees consider benefits and perks, including wellness programs, when deciding on a job offer.

Organisations that have embraced this concept within their culture have experienced positive effects on productivity, engagement, job satisfaction, retention, and overall organisational growth.

Many studies have revealed that corporate wellness is not just a trend but a strategic imperative for organizations worldwide. Here are some findings that reflect this correlation, where organisations that have an effective wellness program saw an average:

• 28% healthcare reduction.

• 25% decrease in employee turnover.

• 221% improved employee engagement.

• 27% decreased absenteeism.

• 25% reduction in stress levels.

• 19% increase in job satisfaction.

• 21% more enhanced work-life balance.

• 36% increase in employee morale.

This article will list five simple yet effective ways on how to promote wellness in the workplace.

1. Evaluate Employee Health Risks

One common reason many office employee wellness initiatives fail is their generalised nature. A good and well-thought-out wellness program will consider the health risks of employees within an organisation and then design a suitable preventative program.

Not all employees are exposed to the same type of health risks at the workplace. It often depends on the nature of the business, the tasks involved, and so on.

Screening employees through health risk assessment questionnaires or physical exams to discover emerging or potential health issues would be a good start. Some organisations that offer health benefits provide workers with a health risk assessment, biometric screening, or both.

Data from these tests and surveys can then be used to create a personalised wellness program that resonates with an office's workforce and proves beneficial.

An effective wellness program will include preventative care for employees who are at risk of chronic diseases. Secondary preventative measures will offer initiatives to improve disease control among employees who manifest chronic conditions such as arthritis, asthma or diabetes

An office that offers preventative care as part of its wellness programs has experienced a reduction in the use of reactionary assistance (e.g., emergency room visits, surgery, etc.), which reduces each employee's health costs.  

2. Assess Office Ergonomics

Did you know that creating a workspace with an ergonomically correct desk, chair and computer monitor position can go a long way to prevent back, neck, wrist and shoulder pains formally known as work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)?

Yes! Now with more and more people being restricted to desk jobs that primarily use computers, the furniture we use to sit and work on, alongside the placement of monitor screens all have a role to play in understanding how to promote wellness in the workplace.

In simple terms, in an office or workplace, ergonomics is where the workplace, furniture, tools, and tasks are designed in such a way that fits the physical needs of the employees.

This mainly includes the arrangement of chairs, desks, lighting, colours, and computer equipment in a way that allows healthy posture, reduces strain, and prevents the development of injuries from repetitive stress like musculoskeletal disorders.

Employers looking to experiment ways on how to promote wellness in the workplace should consider implementing effective ergonomic office solutions. It ensures the work environment supports the well-being and efficiency of workers while enhancing comfort and productivity and reducing absenteeism.  

3. Encourage Physical Activity

The growing adaptation to digitization has not made it possible to do many jobs in the comfort of our chairs using a computer screen. Many jobs that were once labour-intensive have now been simplified with the use of technology. While this has made many jobs easier, it has restricted the movement of workers, making them less active.

This is why people nowadays need to take extra time to workout or exercise as part of their health investment. Reduced physical activity can lead to health problems such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, and decreased mental well-being.

Encouraging regular breaks, promoting furniture like sit-stand desks, and having breakout rooms for recreational activities are some ways to counteract the negative effects of prolonged sitting.

Another effective way to encourage physical activity is by offering benefits or incentives like gym, spa, or yoga memberships.

Depending on the capacity and facility available at the office, employers can consider having an on-site gym. This would give employees the opportunity to work more frequently and together, creating a stronger team environment. Some companies, like Microsoft, offer funding for their employees to attend full-service gyms.

Employers trying to promote wellness in the workplace should understand that physical activity plays an important role in overall health and well-being.  

4. Provide Healthy Snacks and Food

Nowadays, many workplaces offer snacks and free refreshments for energising employees. While this is a great way to boost employee morale and productivity, shifting the choices to healthier options can make a significant breakthrough in promoting employee wellness.

Firstly, try to remove all temptations that lead to poor eating habits. For example, if there are sodas in the vending machine or doughnuts for breakfast, the employee has no choice but to bring their own healthy food from home or give in to this convenient yet unhealthy diet.

As the first step, employers should have an open discussion or an awareness meeting with employees about healthy diets. This can help to ease the transition while creating a workplace environment that promotes wellness and health.

Conduct surveys to understand their healthy eating choices, and then incorporate them into the office canteen or other snack choices.  

5. Encourage Work-Life Balance

When listing ways to promote wellness in the workplace, we often focus heavily on physical well-being. However, mental well-being is equally important and significantly contributes to overall employee health and productivity.

Addressing both physical and mental aspects is crucial for a truly holistic approach to workplace wellness. To do this, it is important to first create a work culture that encourages work-life balance.

Flexible work hours, remote work, encouraging regular breaks, providing paid time off, limiting overtime, offering parental leave, and encouraging hobbies are some great ways to promote work-life balance among employees.

All these prevent stress and burnout and allow one to maintain a healthy balance between professional and personal life. It sends a clear message to an employee that the company values their health and understands they have a life outside work to maintain and, most importantly, that their family life is equally important.  

It's Never too Late to Invest in Workplace Wellness 

 No matter which stage your organisation is in promoting employee wellness, it's never too late to start. The goal is to remember that to keep your employees productive and happily engaged in a job, it is important to prioritise their health, both physical and mental. This is the only way to look at employee wellness through a holistic approach.