What You Need To Keep In Mind When Building Your Workplace Wellness Culture?

Remember the time when workplace wellness meant tobacco cessation programs and weight-loss coaching? Often represented by a banner of the food pyramid hung above the office dining area.

But now the game of corporate wellness has completely changed. Today, corporate wellness can include anything from indoor rock climbing to treadmill desks. Bike racks inspire employees to exercise and follow ‘Green’ habits, while free yoga classes help the workforce de-stress.

The fact is, nowadays workplace wellness is no longer about bettering one’s health; it’s about boosting the morale of the company and loyalty of employees. Here in this blog, we’ve come up with things that you must keep in mind when building your workplace wellness culture.

1. Your Employees Should Be The Center Of Your Wellness Retreat

To make your workplace wellness interesting come up with creative ideas, try to emulate your parents when they build everything interesting to make you eat vegetables as a child.

Your employees must feel encouraged and supported. Offer them gadgets to lead a balanced and healthy lifestyle while allowing them to control their workout schedules, work-life balance, and diets. Effective programs of workplace wellness lessen the healthcare costs for employers.

Here are a few simple things you can start implementing in your workplace from now:

• Treat your office to a healthy meal
• Support your employees for short naps when they feel tired
• Offer employees time to hit the gym to keep them fit and get the creative juices flowing
• The End Purpose is Team Wellness, So try to build team spirit

2. Wellness Initiatives

Type #1: Traditional Wellness Programs

The first type of initiative generally includes the average corporate wellness program, centered around corporate gym discounts, health assessments, and nutrition sessions. The organization tries to align its employees in the correct direction—by building awareness about their exercising and eating habits—and then leaves them to pursue healthy living independently. In this type of initiative, not much teamwork is involved.

• Corporate gym discounts: Offer reduced rates for gym memberships.
• Health assessments: Conduct regular health check-ups and assessments.
• Nutrition sessions: Provide educational sessions on healthy eating habits.
• Independent pursuit: Employees are left to follow healthy living independently.

Type #2: Innovative and Collaborative Wellness Programs

The second type of initiative encourages innovation, creativity, and collaboration among employees for the company's betterment. This is exactly what you should look for. Challenges become easier and more interesting when you work as a team. A tightly-knit team motivated and committed to healthy living will not only attract future talent but will also keep your present employees sticking around.

• Innovation and creativity: Foster a culture of continuous improvement.
• Collaboration: Promote teamwork in wellness activities.
• Team challenges: Organize group challenges to make wellness fun and engaging.
• Future talent: Create a desirable workplace that values health and well-being.

3. Tie Wellness To The Culture Of Your Company

What would make your wellness initiative different from any other company?

Possibilities are, what you think was unique may not be. So question yourself: what do your organization and workforce stand for?

If your team is competitive, you can consider offering them some discount coupons they would fight to win. If they’re passionate about the environment, build a campaign to encourage biking or walking to work. If philanthropy is popular among your workforce, allow them to participate in social causes such as the AIDS Marathon,  Girl Education Campaign, etc.

Role Of HR To Implement Employee Wellness Program

4. Accessibility and Inclusivity

Ensure that wellness programs are accessible to all employees, regardless of their job role or location. Provide flexible options for participation, such as virtual fitness classes or remote counseling services. Inclusivity is key to making everyone feel valued and included in the wellness culture.

• Flexible participation options: Virtual classes and remote services.
• Inclusive programs: Ensure all employees can join, regardless of role or location.
• Value and inclusion: Create a culture where every employee feels valued.

5. Regular Communication and Promotion

Consistent communication is vital to keep employees informed and engaged. Use multiple channels like emails, intranet, and social media to promote wellness activities and share success stories. Highlighting individual and team achievements can motivate others to participate and foster a sense of community.

• Multiple communication channels: Emails, intranet, social media.
• Promote wellness activities: Regular updates and announcements.
• Share success stories: Highlight achievements to motivate participation.

6. Create a Supportive Environment

Foster an environment that supports healthy choices. This can include providing healthy snacks, creating spaces for relaxation and mindfulness, and encouraging regular breaks. A supportive physical environment can significantly enhance the effectiveness of your wellness programs.

• Healthy snacks: Provide nutritious options in the workplace.
• Relaxation spaces: Designate areas for mindfulness and relaxation.
• Encourage regular breaks: Promote taking short breaks to recharge.

7. Incorporate Feedback and Make Improvements

Regularly seek feedback from employees to understand what’s working and what needs improvement. Use this feedback to make necessary adjustments and keep the programs relevant and effective. Showing that you value their input can boost participation and satisfaction.

• Seek regular feedback: Surveys and suggestion boxes.
• Adjust programs: Make changes based on employee input.
• Show value for input: Demonstrate that feedback is taken seriously.

8. Measure and Track Progress

Establish metrics to evaluate the success of your wellness programs. Track participation rates, employee feedback, and health outcomes. Use this data to measure progress and make informed decisions about future initiatives.

• Establish metrics: Define success indicators.
• Track participation: Monitor involvement in wellness activities.
• Analyze feedback and outcomes: Evaluate program effectiveness and health improvements.

9. Encourage Work-Life Balance

Promote policies that support work-life balance, such as flexible working hours, remote work options, and adequate vacation time. Encouraging employees to maintain a healthy work-life balance can prevent burnout and improve overall well-being.

• Flexible working hours: Allow adaptable schedules.
• Remote work options: Provide opportunities to work from home.
• Adequate vacation time: Ensure employees take breaks to recharge.

Conclusion

A successful workplace wellness culture requires understanding employee needs, leadership support, comprehensive programs, accessibility, regular communication, a supportive environment, feedback incorporation, progress tracking, promoting work-life balance, and mental health awareness. Tailoring wellness programs to your organization’s unique culture can create a healthy, engaged, and productive workforce. Prioritizing wellness is an investment in your employees’ well-being and your organization’s success.