Create a Wellness Program that Lasts

According to a recent report by the Society for Human Resource Management, 70 percent of US employers offer general wellness programs. And while the implementation of health and wellness initiatives may seem daunting to some employers, five ideas borrowed from companies like Facebook and Zappos might give the remaining thirty percent encouragement that it can be done.

Look at your office space.  Is it in need of a redesign or possible renovation? Layout, wall and floor color, air quality, availability of natural light, and quiet spaces all contribute to employees’ mental, physical and emotional well-being. While renovations do cost money, the return on investment may well be worth it. After remodeling its office space, one company saw a 30 percent decline in sick days and a 40 percent increase in revenue with employee engagement consistently above 90 percent. The remodel included creation of an exercise room and ensured every office, hallway and conference area had some natural light. 

Look at what makes your employees unique. Get feedback from employees and identify true needs. Facebook has a Life@ program that caters to its diverse employee base by concentrating its wellness program on seven areas: community, convenience, family, finance, general health, personal growth and time away. Consideration about where program and services should be offered can also have positive results. Ask employees whether they prefer programs close to their residences or onsite at work.  

Identify your corporate culture. The goal is to create an organizational healthy way of life. Using wellness programs can strengthen employee relationships, create a teamwork atmosphere, foster confidence and engage the entire organization toward common goals. Zappos started small with creative challenges like, ‘take a picture of yourself and five team members doing a plank or yoga pose.’  Three years into its program, it now offers sports leagues and wellness adventures.

Be consistent. With so many great wellness programs available, employers should carefully review and promote health initiatives in a consistent manner. Regularly scheduled options should be available whether the wellness programs’ services are offered daily, weekly or monthly. 

Seek employee feedback and constantly evaluate. To truly be cost effective and beneficial, wellness programs need continual review of what works and what does not. Ideally, all employees should feel that they are a part of the corporate culture. It’s easy to implement a program; the challenge is to engage all employees. Discovering what employees enjoy is the key to a successful health and wellness initiative.

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Visit Wellness Workdays for more information about our worksite wellness programs.