Business Leaders: Why You Need a Corporate Wellness Program in 2023
In light of the last three years, employee wellness program benefits cannot be understated OR underestimated.
Regardless of global pandemics, massive lifestyle interruptions, collective trauma and stress, and a sudden shift to working from home…
The well-being of employees (and naturally subsequent benefits to the company) have always been important. From an empathetic standpoint, employers should care about their teams simply because they’re human beings. From a capitalist standpoint, employers should care about their teams because fostering holistic health in the workplace through corporate wellness programs has endless benefits.
The Problem
To start, general or acute (like project-based) stress can harm employees’ health just like any other stress outside the workplace. A team suffering from
high blood pressure
unsustainable diets
chronic illnesses or pain (all results of stress)
Is not happy and not productive. Specifically, these illnesses and other common physical ailments cost U.S. employers $36.4 billion annually in lost productivity and absenteeism (CDC, Workplace Health Promotion).
Plus,
depression
anxiety
other mental illnesses
Have just as severe an impact on employee/team performance.
More than one-third of one’s life is spent at work-- So of course how one’s employer approaches employee wellness deeply affects people in the short- and long-term. Employers have a responsibility to treat their teams not only with respect and dignity for making their company possible, but with creativity and enthusiasm when it comes to ensuring their happiness and health.
In fact, in a world where one’s productivity is so culturally tied to one’s worth, employers have a unique opportunity to be a beacon for employees by prioritizing their wellness.
The Numbers
By doing this, such as by creating or providing a corporate wellness program, employers will not only be fostering greater employee loyalty by showing they care, they’ll start seeing the benefits:
Greater employee happiness
Greater employee performance and productivity
Employees suffering from depression cost U.S. employers $44 billion in lost productive time annually (PubMed).
Greater employee creativity
Fewer sick days
Absenteeism and lost productivity due to sick days costs U.S. employers $1,685 per employee on average, or $225.8 billion annually (CDC Foundation).
Participation in a wellness program over five years is associated with lower health care costs and decreasing health care use for employees & their providers through employers (RAND).
Lower rates of burnout
Less turnover
Employee turnover collectively costs U.S. businesses over $1 TRILLION in a single year. That’s between one-half and twice as much as the employee’s salary (Gallup).
Less stress, less depression, less anxiety, and more focus (Behavioral Health Tech)
Millennials and Gen Z currently make up 38% of the total workforce and are slated to make up nearly 60% after the next decade. Their primary concerns, more than any other generation? Burnout, mental health, and social responsibility (hence their liking toward flexibility, remote work, freelancing, etc.).
Any employers not proactively working with their teams to find the best employee wellness programs for them, even in the unpredictable times of 2021 (actually, especially in these times), sadly, is falling behind. The loss of money, good talent, drive, creativity, impact, and more will be evident if it’s not already.
The Solution
Luckily, the weight of all employee wellness does not have to fall on HR teams or on the shoulders of some CEO of Happiness. Employees do not expect their C-Suite bosses to sit down and meditate with them at lunchtime or do yoga in an open greenery setting in the middle of the office--these are oversimplifications and stereotypes perpetuated by a fear of (not knowing how to create impactful) employee wellness programs.
These programs can range from thousands of different approaches and activities. The key is knowing what your employees actually want. (Hint: tail-end millennials and Gen Z especially can see through empty promises like “yoga every Thursday” or “free lunch on Fridays” that don’t impress or make a real impact; this is almost worse than not doing anything at all).
Instead, partner with a holistic wellness coach or workshop leader to design a program that would really work in the short- and long-term.
From a place of trust and non-judgment, ask your teams what they’re struggling with (Deadline stress? Time management? Sleep? Social media addiction? Racing thoughts? High blood pressure? Headaches? Poor diet?).
Get help creating, running, and implementing the corporate wellness program from someone with a holistic approach, years of experience, and an impressive track record.
Successful businesses often start slowly circling the drain, without even realizing it, due to overall and subtle loss of employee happiness and wellness. The 2020s put into perspective just how crucial well-rounded wellbeing support is.
Become the employer that everyone wants by investing in your employees’ well-being. Your team, and your bottom line, will thank you. Start Now →
