Establishing a Corporate Wellness Program Will Give Your Business a Shot in the Arm
Time for a Wellness Visit—at the Office
There are excellent reasons for companies to initiate a corporate wellness program and now is the perfect time, as employees return to the office.
Not only will it improve your team’s overall health and productivity, but it can also lower health care, workman’s comp, and disability costs; reduce absenteeism; and increase employee motivation and loyalty.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 7 of the top 10 causes of death were chronic diseases–among the most costly and preventable. By providing a health and wellness program at the workplace, you support your team with education and resources on topics like nutrition, substance and tobacco abuse, and mental health that positively impact their wellbeing and reduce your employees’ risk of disease. This results in fewer sick days, better self-management and coping skills, and a safer, more supportive work environment.
First steps to implementing a corporate wellness program
Consider doing your homework before releasing a corporate wellness program. Employers should evaluate employee interests and needs, review group health plan opportunities, and understand the health culture and environment of the workplace.
Determine how your wellness plan will support your long- and short-term business objectives. Corporate culture, leadership styles, and your company’s strengths and challenges should be considered when creating your wellness model. Once you get the buy-in from management, move forward to begin the process.
Create a task force
Develop a list of goals and actionable objectives from a cross-section of employee volunteers. Include staff from the C suite, HR, IT, communications, and those interested in good health.
Establish a budget
Include program costs, employee incentives, and promotional materials. Decide whether employees will be responsible for a portion of the fees or if your health insurance carrier offers incentives.
Decide how you will incentivize employees
Attractive incentives should be commensurate with the effort required to achieve the goal. For example, incentives for employees who quit smoking or lose weight should be of greater value than incentives for participating in a nutritional workshop. Try and have your own office’s snack, beverage and catered meals be a supportive tool that embraces your health and wellness initiatives.
Market the policy
Promote the new program with a celebratory kick-off. Make sure you have attractive, informative marketing collateral to keep the opportunities top of mind with employees. Upper management needs to endorse and participate in the program as well. Ongoing communication is critical for maintaining interest and engagement in the wellness program.
Determine how you will evaluate the program’s success
Measure participation rates, program completion rates, reductions in health care costs, employee progress. Evaluating the effectiveness of the wellness program over the long term will ensure its ongoing success.
Get started!
Proper nutrition is foundational to a healthy lifestyle. Whether you are moving full-steam ahead with formal corporate wellness initiatives or you’re just formulating some ideas, offering nutritious fueling options for your team is the perfect way to get started.
Studies show that employees appreciate healthy snack and meal options. Providing pantry and craft coffee services, micro marketplace breakrooms, in-office catering, and grab-and-go office snacks results in happy, healthy employees and positive company culture. Having a resource like Corporate Essentials can inform decision-makers about the newest innovations in healthy office culture equipment and products.
CEO Judson Kleinman says, “Now, more than ever, we understand the emphasis on health and wellness initiatives in the workplace. Having great coffee and nutritious snacks in the break room fosters a positive environment. Employees appreciate it, and employers see how these efforts make an impact on corporate culture. Our job is to provide our customers with the information about equipment and products they need to create that positive environment, all in one place.”
Corporate Essentials makes the process easy. Contact us today to start your team on a positive health and wellness journey and to discuss how our better-for-them food options can help put your wellness program on the right path.
