The best wellbeing program for employees

What is a wellbeing program?

A wellbeing programme can come in many forms. Whether it be a lunchtime exercise classes, healthy eating within the workplace or even meditation classes on site, a wellbeing programme can be moulded to suit the individual needs of a company’s employees. Alongside many other wellbeing websites, Indeed.com recommend several useful ideas, such as –

• Stress management education
• Smoking cessation program
• Exercise program
• Weight loss competitions
• Wellness assessments

(https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/benefits-of-wellness)

From an employer point of view, ensuring adequate training is offered to staff is of paramount importance and ensuring there are key points at which to touch base, such as 1.1s, and open channels of communication with managers. Staying ahead of the game with regards to an employee’s wellbeing is important as ‘Fulfilment at work encompasses not only the work we do on a day-to-day basis but a range of themes and activities that together form a critical component of an individual’s health and wellbeing.‘ (NHS)

Why Employee Wellbeing is So Important

The World Health Organisation defines health as ‘a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.’ Since most adults between the ages of 16-65 can spend up to a third of their working day in their place of work, it is imperative that employers aim for a healthy and encouraging environment in which the individual employee can prosper. According to CIPD (The Chartered Institute of Personnel Development) ‘Good health and wellbeing can be a core enabler of employee engagement and organisational performance.’ Therefore, not only is employee wellbeing important for the individual, but it is also beneficial from a company perspective, as ‘employee wellbeing can lead to increased resilience, better employee engagement, reduced sickness absence and higher performance and productivity.’ (CIPD)

What are the benefits of an employee wellbeing program?

There are many benefits to a wellbeing programme within the workplace, aside from the obvious potential improvements to employee health. According to Indeed.com, wellness programs also ‘help to increase productivity, boost morale and increase teamwork.’ With the company and its employees coming together in a social capacity, via group activities such as corporate activity days, retreats or simply zoom call meetings where everyone checks in on their wellbeing and mental health, these programs offer an opportunity to come together for discussion. This is exampled by the NHS on their website, stating that ‘Driving a positive health and wellbeing culture across your organisation needs the entire workforce behind it.’

How you can improve your corporate culture and why you should.

Aside from the obvious legal requirements and a duty of care over employees, wellbeing and staff consideration is something that many employers are now highlighting, especially since the pandemic, where working conditions changed dramatically for many. Eliminating any stigma surrounding mental health and becoming a corporate culture that makes discussing mental health the norm is key to ensuring the wellbeing of all staff. Wellbeing should have no hierarchy, every employee from director to minimum wage worker should be offered the same wellness opportunities. As the charity MIND states, Smart employers know that organisations perform better when staff are healthy, motivated and focused.’

Training staff regularly on key components of good mental health and making it the forefront of people’s minds will enable them to watch out for colleagues around them. As The Red Cross so adequately put it; ‘Mental health training provides the tools to know how to have helpful, kind conversations around mental wellbeing and spot when others may need more specialised support.’

To know more check Joyful Living corporate wellness programmes page

References

https://www.england.nhs.uk/supporting-our-nhs-people/health-and-wellbeing-programmes/
https://www.who.int/about/governance/constitution
https://www.cipd.co.uk/knowledge/culture/well-being/factsheet#gref
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/benefits-of-wellness
https://www.england.nhs.uk/supporting-our-nhs-people/health-and-wellbeing-programmes/nhs-health-and-wellbeing-framework/elements-of-health-and-wellbeing/fulfilment-at-work/
https://www.mind.org.uk/media-a/4662/resource3_howtopromotewellbeingfinal.pdf
https://blog.redcrossfirstaidtraining.co.uk/7-advantages-of-mental-health-training-that-will-help-deliver-value