Posted by admin | Posted in Health Program Ideas, Screening and Intervention Programs, Wellness Program Incentives | Posted on 11-03-2009
Small organization wellness programs are catching on. A well-designed wellness program is able to boost productivity, boost morale and vitality, cut stress, cut absenteeism, and control avoidable health care expenditures within a organization. The beauty of it is that you’re simply helping workers to make smart choices so the expenditures of launching a wellness program are minimal in comparison to the benefits.
Employee health is a primary problem for small business owners. In a small business, even a few sick staff members are able to disrupt the flow of the workplace and bring the operation to a standstill.
Instead of sitting back and hoping for the best, some small organization owners are taking the matter of employee health into their own hands by launching Company Wellness Programs. Here’s how they work.
Overview of Worksite Wellness Programs
Employee wellness programs are programs initiated by the corporation to better the overall health of their work force and to help individual staff members overcome specific health-related hurdles. These programs are able to be offered in a variety of formats: In mandatory employee training sessions, as voluntary sessions, or through a third-party provider offering a wide-range of Employee Assistance Programs.
In every case, however, the employer foots the bill for the programs because an investment in employee health is a employer expenditure that directly impacts the employer’s bottom line.
Why offer Worksite Wellness Programs?
Apart from the obvious issue for the health of your staff members, there are numerous other reasons why Employee Wellness Programs make sense for small businesses. From the get-go, your company will advance from the decreased level of absenteeism that goes hand in hand with a healthy workforce.
Company Health Promotion Programs will also reduce the number of injuries that occur in the workplace, not just from accidents, but also from repetitive motion and other recurring sources. Since even a minor blip in worker attendance has the potential to have a big influence on a small employer, a more reliable workforce will inevitably translate into a smoother work cycle and a more robust bottom line.
Worksite Wellness Program Features
Company Health Promotion Programs can cover a broad range of health-related issues. Based on your staff members’ needs, it’s entirely up to you to determine the kind of programming you want to offer. Nevertheless, most Company Health Promotion Programs offer some at least some programs in the following areas:
Nutrition. Diet is able to significantly effect an employee’s ability to do their job effectively. Nutritional programs educate workers about food options and equip them to make healthy dietary choices.
Physical Fitness. In addition to diet, physical activity is an important factor in a healthy lifestyle. Employee Wellness Programs generally support employees with opportunities to incorporate physical activity into their daily lives.
Smoking Cessation. Statistics prove that tobacco users tend to fall ill more usually than their non-smoking peers. Since sick staff members disrupt the workplace, tobacco cessation programs are a no-brainer for both employers and staff members.
Physiological Testing. Many employers offer physiological as a regular part of their wellness programs. Cholesterol tests, Blood Pressure screenings, and other simple exams are able to support early warning signs for more somber problems.
Stress Management. Stress itself takes a toll on employees. Still, stress is also linked to other health concerns such as depression, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity. Workplace Health Promotion Programs that help employees deal with stress improve not only the mental health of your employees, but their physical health as well.
