Workplace stress is being called the health epidemic of the 21st century. A large reason for this is the 24/7 corporate culture that now exists because of constant interconnectedness. Through emails, social media and instant messaging apps, employees have struggled to maintain a healthy work life balance. And of course, prioritizing overall corporate wellness stands as a major aspect of that balance. Here’s what you need to know.
Corporate Wellness
It is estimated that workplace stress is costing U.S. businesses over $300 billion a year. This figure isn’t likely to decrease as the demand for more corporate jobs increases. Maryville University’s market outlook for business graduates shows 632,400 more jobs will open in business and finance sectors by 2024. In order to tackle this “epidemic” head on, companies need to prioritize wellness. That way, they create more effective and productive working environments for employees.
The effects of having a good corporate wellness program are huge. Fast Company spoke to Dan Calista, the CEO of healthcare consulting firm Vynamic. The company has an onsite “health and care” position that is devoted entirely to looking after employees. Some of the benefits that Vynamic brought in included ergonomically correct chairs, treadmill desks and healthy snacks. The most popular health initiative that Calista introduced was no work emails between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. and on the weekends to create a better work/life balance. Calista believes that his commitment to wellness led to a more loyal workforce. Fast Company also noted that “Vynamic’s attrition rate is 10% compared to between 15% and 20% for other comparable consultancies.”
Healthy Diets Increase Corporate Wellness
An employee’s diet is often poor, which can affect their well-being at work. If they have to bring in or buy their own food, then the priority for them is going to be convenience. This means that employees will more likely than not consume fatty foods and high sugar drinks throughout the day. In order to look after their workforce’s health, many companies now offer healthy food options.
The Chicago Tribute examined insurance company GEICO’s dietary intervention project which provides low-fat vegetarian alternatives in the cafeteria. Working alongside the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, they did a 22-week study on GEICO employees where they followed a healthy diet and viewed “cooking demonstrations and educational sessions led by doctors and dietitians.” As a result of the study participants lost on average 11 pounds, and there were fewer missed hours at work. So, even a small change, such as offering healthier food, can result in one of the key benefits of employee wellness programs.
Staying Active In the Workplace
The above two examples are both actions that mid-size to large companies have taken. For small businesses there are also plenty of ways to incorporate a wellness program or initiative. A feature article titled ‘Low Cost Employee Wellness Ideas’ lists several simple ways that a small business can prioritize corporate wellness.
One is to establish an area around the company building for lunchtime walking or biking. This allows your employees to get fresh air and take a break from the confines of the office. The article even recommends giving employees cheap pedometers so they can track the health benefits of their movement.
An even easier option is a distress zone that employees can use to “cry, vent, or distress after a particularly tough day.” As Caitlyn Norwood wrote for us last year, meditating is a good way to deal with work stress, and a room where employees could do this undisturbed would help them cope with hard days.
Other Factors
Of course, other socio-economic and geographic factors contribute to employee wellness. And even lack of sleep can have an immensely negative impact on employee wellbeing. Sometimes, these aspects are outside the direct control of companies. However, prioritizing corporate wellness is an important factor of Human Resources and is vital to ensuring that the workforce is happy. The above examples show how this not only has a positive impact on the employees’ well-being, but also on the company’s overall productivity.
Exclusively written for vtrpro.com
by Janey Branch
Janey Branch runs a small manpower talent management firm, and provides freelance HR consulting for various corporate clients. She’s a long-time Pilates practitioner and loves to bake in her spare time.
Last updated February 23, 2023
