Employee wellness

In a 2015 survey by the Society for Human Resource Management, 76 percent of survey respondents currently offer employee wellness programs. Companies that lead this trend came from Silicon Valley, but many employers across the country now offer or plan to offer corporate wellness programs to help boost morale, reduce healthcare burdens to the employer, and to increase work productivity. Employee wellness programs will also become more of a standard benefit as employers look to attract and retain top talent. Here are some of the top wellness programs offered by the most competitive companies.

In a 2015 survey by the Society for Human Resource Management, 76 percent of survey respondents currently offer employee wellness programs. Companies that lead this trend came from Silicon Valley, but many employers across the country now offer or plan to offer corporate wellness programs to help boost morale, reduce healthcare burdens to the employer, and to increase work productivity. Employee wellness programs will also become more of a standard benefit as employers look to attract and retain top talent. Here are some of the top wellness programs offered by the most competitive companies.

Physical Health Initiatives

Health and exercise initiatives are the most obvious employee wellness programs that can help boost morale and reduce healthcare costs for the employer. Exercise is an effective way to burn off stress and increase natural, feel-good endorphins in the body. These programs can include corporate discounts to a gym or athletic club. Companies can also reimburse employees up to a certain amount for joining a sport or workout center of the employee’s choosing.

Smoking Cessation Programs

With all the harmful damage that comes with tobacco use, it’s hard to believe there are still cigarette smokers out there. Not only does tobacco use contribute to lung cancer, chronic bronchitis, and heart disease, it also adds significantly to an employer’s insurance premiums. That’s why many employers now include smoking cessation resources as part of their employee wellness programs. Programs could include everything from prohibiting smoking near the office building to offering smoking cessation resources for ongoing support to employees who are looking to quit smoking. Non-smokers appreciate employers who endorse a non-smoking policy, and smokers appreciate that their employer supports their efforts to quit.

Employee Assistance Programs

More employers are adding employee assistance programs to their benefits packages. Increasingly, research shows how emotional and mental health issues impact work productivity, social interactions, absenteeism, and overall work satisfaction. An employer’s health insurance benefit package can include access to employee assistance programs which may provide access to counseling services at discounted costs or the ability to talk to experts in other areas that employees may need help. Employers can also incorporate stress management techniques and mindfulness training for their employees.

Financial Well-Being

Financial health contributes to a person’s mental health. Many employers already have retirement savings programs in place, but more employers are also providing financial advisory services. Companies can bring in trusted a financial advisor to the workplace. Employees conveniently meet with an advisor and further their financial education on creating short-term and long-term plans for savings, retirement, home buying, and paying off debt.

Want to explore how you can incorporate employee wellness programs to your benefits package? Contact us to discuss how you can offer simple wellness programs that will boost your employees’ morale.