Our everyday activities are shaping a world ready to keep up with the continuous evolution of the digital era. It is only natural that the needs of employee change in the process, and big companies are aware of it.
In a landscape where blue-collar jobs and back pains are on the rise, employees need more than attractive payslips and bonuses. They need wellness programs that can bring a balance in this hectic environment, and address both their physical and mental issues.
In fact, employees in organizations with a wellness program are far more likely to be satisfied (80%) than those without such programs (66%).
Another finding of this survey is that obese employees have 77% more drug costs and use 35% more on health services than healthy weight employees.
Needless to say, wellness has become a necessity for the modern worker. Below, we’ll look at 5 big companies that have impressive health programs, and we’ll explore how they are affecting the productivity of their employees.
1. Although ZocDoc has around 600 employees, the company manages to maintain an ”eat together” family culture and strong bonds between its various departments. Nobody knows how they do it, maybe the free catered lunches they offer have a saying in this close relationship they hold and the good vibes between their teams.
Nevertheless, the favorite aspect of this successful corporate wellness program is the Fun Room, which holds things as diverse as a guitar, arcade games, and even a hammock.
2. Other than a mall, not many workplaces can boast on-site chair massages. At Chandler Chicco Agency, though, you can get even more than that on a daily basis, including nutritional cooking demonstrations, biometric screenings, and even a 5 o’clock happy hour.
3. Unlimited sick days, access to some of Vermont’s finest crisp apples, and free regular checkups at a doctor are only a few of Seventh Generation’s many corporate wellness benefits. An on-site masseuse is another.
4. If you’re talking about work flexibility, you need to mention Voom. At Voom, employees are not only encouraged, but expected to work two days from home and a third day outside of the office in an unconventional meeting environment, like a park or hot springs.
5. Healthy living includes creating a healthy community through volunteering. That’s why Microsoft, one of the world’s leading tech giants, offers such benefits donating $17 per hour when an employee volunteers at an organization. This is in addition to other, more conventional, employee benefits, like flex work hours and free gym memberships.
Productivity, besides revenue, can be highly affected when employees aren’t at their best, physically and mentally. And wellness programs mean more than just taking care of your body, their purpose should be to offer employees the chance to be aware of their health, of their levels of tiredness and when should be a good time to take a break and rest.
Poor employee productivity can be caused by a lack of sleep, headaches, or mental problems.
A survey by the Employee Benefit News magazine said that 31% of respondents rated mental illness as the number one reason for loss of productivity. With one in four adults experiencing some type of mental illness, wellness programs are now more than just physical health.
This is an important aspect to consider when designing your own program. The latest trends in well-being plans include personalization and focus on the needs of each employee, which delivers even better results across organizations.
The International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans survey found that among employers offering and measuring wellness efforts, more than 50% saw a decrease in absenteeism, while 66% reported increased productivity and 67% said employees are more satisfied.
A healthy thought to keep in mind is that building a culture of physical and mental well-being not only engages your team to give more at work but also stands as a strong foundation for better relationships and communication. Taking care of your employees means taking care of your business and ultimately, yourself.
