Why your company shouldn’t neglect to introduce a Workplace Well-being Program this year

Awareness and focus on health and wellbeing, both physically and mentally, has never been more in the spotlight than it is right now. Especially for businesses that employ staff.

The global pandemic combined with national lockdowns has highlighted the importance and value of individual health and Workplace well-being. In general, it is thought, the healthier you are, the better chances you have at fighting and surviving COVID-19. As a result, we have seen a surge in the number of people now striving to take better care of themselves, be that getting out in the fresh air walks, trying to do more exercise, taking up yoga, focusing on their mental wellbeing and just giving themselves a bit more TLC. All the above help to relieve stress and anxiety.

The pandemic has also meant that many employees now work from home, enduring long lonely hours, lack of social contact and poor desk setups. Ultimately this impacts an employee’s health both physically and mentally and will inevitably impact your business too if not addressed.

Businesses now face greater responsibilities for the welfare of their staff. Companies are expected to look after employee health, both in the office and at home.

In recent years we have seen employee incentives schemes, free private healthcare included in packages and the rise of the perk box! In addition to this, more traditional expressions of gratitude for staff include providing Christmas parties and treating teams to lunch or dinner!

Workplace well-being programs have now been introduced to the mix, no longer as a nice to have, but expected to be included. 

Workplace Well-being programs will become critical for all businesses as a tool and as an expectation from staff.

It is time for businesses to start seeing health and wellbeing as a critical investment rather than an expense.

Companies that support staff through wellness programs have seen reduced staff absence, a boost in team morale, improved productivity and greater staff loyalty and engagement.

A wellness program not only supports the health of your employees but also their experience of working for your company or organisation. Wellness programs inspire staff and wider teams to keep fit & healthy, boost their mood and motivation, ease the stresses and strains of work aiding individuals to lead a healthier, happier life.

Workplace well-being programs don’t have to cost the earth and shouldn’t be thought of as a ‘big business thing. ALL businesses, no matter how big or small should consider supporting their staff wellbeing…

Keeping good health both physically and mentally has never been more important, and that’s just the tip of the ice burg!

Read on to find out more reasons your business should be looking to put more focus on supporting employee health and wellbeing…

Protect your business & your staff

Protect the health of both your staff and your business by investing in workplace well-being. Healthy, happy staff, that feel looked after by their employers, tend to be more engaged, more productive, less likely to take sick days and generally more loyal to the business.

I also sense that on the horizon, as people individually become more aware of their health and the aspects of their life that impact their wellbeing, we could see a whole new era of complaints, accusations or even potential court cases against businesses that haven’t taken enough care or provided support to their employees for their health and wellbeing.

More and more people suffer burnout from work. As technology improves, we are more accessible to plugin into the matrix any time, anywhere. As more and more of us work from home due to the pandemic and with many not likely to return to work in the office, the lines of work and home become more blurred. Some many people now find they are working longer hours, unable to fully switch off from work and eventually suffer burnout.

Burnouts are detrimental to the health of both your staff and your business, and perhaps in future could be seen as a result of employer negligence.

Employees who say they experience burnout at work are:

• 63% more likely to take a sick day
• 13% less confident in their performance
• 2.6 x more likely to be seeking a different job

Gallup 2019

A simple Workplace Well-being program demonstrates to your staff that you care. Forward-thinking companies are investing time and resource in developing wellness programmes, providing the tools and services with their staff need to keep fit and well, laying out guideline and enforcing breaks from work. Some businesses are even bringing their staff on board too to figure out not only what is required, but what their staff will actively engage and see too. This proactive approach develops even greater staff engagement, builds deeper loyalty and more importantly creating a wellness program that doesn’t go to waste for the business!

A simple wellness program can combat loneliness, inspire a healthier lifestyle as well as boost mental wellbeing.

Consideration should be taken into account for access to wellbeing support tools and services both in the office and at home too – a virtual solution should be offered alongside any physical options too. That way you cover all bases.

Save money & boost productivity

Taking care of your employees mental and physical wellbeing is vital to warding off stress and exhaustion – both factors that can have a detrimental impact on retention rates, quality of work and productivity.

Poor mental health costs UK employers up to £45bn in 2020 – Deloitte Annual Report 2020

Healthier employees make for healthier businesses – and not just in terms of germs but also money. A simple wellness program can help to:

• Boost business performance
• Increased staff productivity
• Reduce absence days and healthcare costs

The costs you incur as a business due to poor staff health I guarantee will stack up greater than the money you will spend on offering a wellness program.

A wellness program can empower your staff to take better care of themselves and be life-changing for your team members. For example, someone who had no interest in their health or wellness at all might now be inspired to get healthier now that they have access to tools and support.

Wellness programs can aid performance.

Yoga for example can boost mental clarity, reduce stress and be a useful tool when in need of a recharge.

Inspiration to be healthy is a powerful tool in its self too. Inspired team members often are more driven in all aspects of life, they have more energy, more vitality and perhaps might even be looking to improve other areas of self-development that can only have a positive impact on your business too.

Food for thought…

For those working in the office, you might want to set wellness breaks, switching off phones, taking a break from meetings, basically allowing, or giving permission to, individuals enabling them to feel free to take a break – it sounds so simple and a little bit silly, but the simple act of someone else giving you permission or reassurance is all it takes to reduce stress or anxiety. These could be set at coffee times or midday breaks for lunch, perhaps optional wellness activities could also be scheduled for those to join in on if they wanted to. I guarantee you will see a boost in productivity!

Attract better talent with a better employee experience

Companies that invest in the wellbeing of their staff benefit from attracting and retaining the best talent, which can only be good for business right?

Many individuals considering job opportunities will compare the benefits offered by businesses upon deciding whom to work for. Wellbeing programs are now considered one of the top benefits for companies to offer as it demonstrates compassion for their staff.

A wellness program can also help support any initiatives you currently have in place for the general employee experience. Employees who have good experiences working for your businesses will:

• Often talk passionately about your brand and offering (driving awareness)
• Recommend you to friends or peers looking for work (free recruitment)
• Put in a little more effort and are more productive
• Stay loyal to you at times when things are a little harder…

…and in general support the growth of your business in a positive manner.

What might a workplace well-being program look like for your business?

Flotality Workplace Wellbeing Programs can be completely tailored to suit your business and employee needs, from virtual support and group classes to private sessions, workshops and talks, adventure days and elite wellness coaching.

It’s up to you how much you want to offer your team and what your budget is. I can help advise as to what I think you need to support your employee health and wellbeing, as well as what your business needs to stay healthy too and even get the rest of the team involved too. Once programs are in place we can start to measure the results.

Flotality’s mission is to help inspire and support people of all ages, and abilities to live a healthier, happier life. If you would like to know more, understand better my offering or discuss some ideas for your staff, then let’s chat!

Harriet Smith, Founder of Flotality

hello@flotality.co.uk | Visit my website to learn more: flotality.co.uk/corporate-wellness