Health and wellness programs for your employees

Studies show having the right health and wellness program in place and supporting your employees to make healthy lifestyle changes can increase productivity and organizational morale. Wellness programs can also reduce absenteeism and presenteeism, while even generating a real return on investment for your organization over time.

As individuals and organizations recognize the importance of promoting well-being, it is therefore no surprise health and wellness programs have become increasingly popular as an element of employee benefit packages in recent years. These programs typically aim to improve overall health, prevent illness and enhance overall quality of life for employees.

By increasing employee satisfaction, health and wellness programs can reduce employee attrition. Hiring a new employee can be expensive. In a contingency search, a recruiter is paid a percentage of the candidate’s first-year annual salary, typically ranging from 15% to 30%. This 15% to 30% can add up. There is also the cost of training a replacement employee and lost goodwill in the event an employee who is well liked by clients leaves your firm.

Health and wellness programs can also contribute to esprit de corps. Employees who compete on the number of steps they take each day is only one example of a bonding exercise. Taking action to achieve greater physical health and wellbeing can be a shared journey for staff members

Because there is no one size fits all health and wellness program, it is advisable for companies to work with professional human capital consultants to construct the program that fits their individual profile and set of needs. That said, following are common components and trends in health and wellness programs:

Physical Fitness:

• Exercise and physical activity promotion, including gym memberships, fitness classes, and workplace fitness challenges.
• Incorporation of wearable technology and fitness trackers to monitor activity levels.

Mental Health Support:

• Stress management programs, mindfulness training and mental health resources.
• Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) offering counseling services.

Nutrition and Diet:

• Nutrition education and counseling.
• Healthy eating initiatives and access to nutritious food options.

Work-Life Balance:

• Flexible work schedules and remote work options.
• Time management and productivity training.

Health Screening:

• Regular health check-ups, screenings, and preventive care.
• Wellness assessments to identify risk factors and develop personalized plans.

Financial Wellness:

• Financial planning and education to reduce stress related to money matters.
• Retirement planning and investment advice.

Smoking Cessation:

• Programs to support individuals in quitting smoking or using tobacco products.

Wellness Challenges and Incentives:

• Team-based challenges to encourage healthy behaviors.
• Incentive programs such as rewards for achieving health goals.

Education and Training:

• Workshops and seminars on various health topics.
• Skill-building programs related to stress reduction and time management

Technology Integration:

• Health apps and online platforms for tracking and managing health and wellness goals.
• Virtual fitness classes and telehealth services.

Community Engagement:

• Building a supportive and positive workplace culture.
• Community service initiatives and team-building activities.

As I noted earlier, specific components of health and wellness programs should vary based on the goals of each organization and its employees. Health and wellness programs are designed to not only enhance physical health but to also address holistic well-being, including mental, emotional and social aspects.

Look to see if your health insurance carrier will help pay for these components. Many carriers either directly reimburse employees for such activities as nutrition counseling and gym membership, or provide wellness credits to the employer to help pay for many other components.

Sarah Lunetta, REBC is an Employee Benefits Account Manager at KMRD Partners, Inc., a nationally recognized risk and human capital management consulting and insurance brokerage firm located in the Philadelphia region serving clients worldwide. Sarah can be contacted at [email protected]