Today, a growing number of organizations across the country are providing corporate wellness programs with several even linking financial incentives to employee participation and health outcomes. This article emphasises on such wellness programs that are offered and the role employers play in employing them.
Many individuals think that health, happiness and productivity at work are related in many ways and that their employers have an opportunity to foster all three to everyone’s benefit with a corporate wellness program. However, while most organizations actually take steps to promote the health and well-being of their employees, very few – just 7% of the organisations call for a ‘comprehensive program’. The outcomes of such programs are definitely better than the normal ones. The health outcomes of such wellness programs are many, which include weight loss and prevention of obesity, smoking cessation, blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol management and personal health and safety practices such as sleep hygiene, seat belt use and stress management. Professional benefits of such programs include lower absenteeism, higher job satisfaction and work productivity, high employee retention, and lower health care costs.
Making a Healthy Workforce
Corporate wellness programs tend to help employers manage health care costs and enhance productivity by creating a healthier workforce. Through such programs, employees get access to tools and resources to enhance their health and lessen their risk of developing chronic conditions. A large amount of employers are expanding their wellness programs spending a good amount of money. Many are even giving incentives in the form of cash, gift cards, reduced health care premiums or through a contribution to a health care account to inspire employees to participate in biometric screenings, health risk evaluation and physical activity programs.
Practical and Accessible Programs
The wellness programs guided by some of the best dieticians in the city provide a variety of scheduled programs. These could include yoga classes, lunchtime stress management seminars that address everything from sleep to work-life balance to financial health, fitness challenges and weight loss initiatives.
Wellness Integrated into the Company’s Structure
The leadership in an organization must see it as a cohesive entity, seamless with workplace safety, benefits, human resources, and other infrastructure elements. Successful programs have dedicated budgets and managerial staff that not only develop wellness programs employees are interested in, but also let employees to participate without having a feeling of choosing between doing their jobs and leading a healthy lifestyle. Many organizations have integrated the wellness programs in their structure and see to it that every employee incorporates it in his/her daily life.
Beyond Conventional Wellness Programs
Experts expect the design of such wellness programs would continue evolving as health care reform unfolds. Now, many companies are shifting from providing one-size-fits-all wellness programs to individualized disease prevention programs for those at risk for chronic conditions. Today, employers are also looking beyond conventional corporate wellness programs and making environmental and policy changes that foster a healthier workplace. They are beginning to embrace a broader view that focuses on well-being, which includes physical, emotional and even financial wellness.
Today, more employees enjoy smoke free zones, healthier cafeteria, unlocked stairs so they can skip the elevator, screen savers that remind them to take a break, mindfulness training and much more.
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