Employees who have a high sense of well-being can improve teamwork, productivity, employee satisfaction, and the company’s bottom line. Well-being includes physical wellness, mental wellness, and social wellness. Human Resource leaders are now being encouraged to develop programs that encompass all three of the components that make up an individual’s well-being.
Common methods that are being used to improve the well-being of employees are: personalized employee programs, meditation/mindfulness sessions, and the implementation of sit-to-stand desks.
One example of a personalized wellness program is Humana Go365, which is described as “a personalized wellness and rewards program that helps your employees make healthier decisions and guides them on their well-being journey.” Employees who take part in the Go365 program can earn rewards points for activities such as daily workouts, organized sports, healthy lifestyle training, donating blood, earning a CPR certification, getting a flu shot, getting a dental exam, and much more. Employees can use their rewards points on prizes such as, fitness bands, water bottles, gift cards, and bicycles.
Another great way to improve health and well-being is by using stand-up desks. By using stand-up desks, employees reap a multitude of health benefits. Using a standing desk can lower your risk for obesity. Standing burns about 50 more calories per hour than sitting! Using a standing desk can help strengthen your core, improve your posture and reduce eye strain. According to an article by Thomas B. Trafecanty, “Your computer screen should sit just above resting eye level, so you have to look up slightly to see it. This keeps you from hunching over or slouching as you tap away on your keyboard.” Companies could start by adding a few stand-up desks to the office. Having a few stand-up desks as temporary work stations would allow employees to rotate through them and, if the company was willing to make more of an investment, see how many employees would be interested in permanently using one.
Depending on your company size, industry, and workforce, your employees’ needs are going to be different. These are just a few ideas to consider when looking for ways to improve the well-being of employees. Making this a priority makes for happy and healthy employees which ultimately improves your business!
