Wellness Programs at Work and Their Notable Importance
Wellness programs are generally initiatives sponsored by employers and designed to improve the mental and physical health of employees. The goal is to maximize workers’ productivity by ensuring that they are fit in mind and body. For example, a company may provide free gym membership as part of its remuneration package. Usually, these initiatives help employees feel that their employers care about their well-being, and as a result, they are motivated to perform better.
Prompt Detection of Health Problems
Wellness programs in the workplace generally focus on the early detection of disease and other health-related problems. They may include teachings and on site screenings for hypertension, diabetes, some cancers and other common conditions. Early identification hits two birds with one stone: ensure workers’ health and productivity and reduce medical claim costs. Of course, healthier workers are also more likely to stay within the company for longer, which means the management can save on the costs of hiring and retraining new employees.
Promotion of Healthy Lifestyles
Wellness programs encourage workers to adopt a healthier lifestyle through different initiatives, like conducting in-person lifestyle coaching services, stress management or weight loss classes or smoking cessation seminars and support on site. With all of these brought to the workplace itself, employees feel more important and are more likely to reach or even exceed the level of productivity that is expected from them.
Employee Empowerment thru Education
In some workplaces, employees are given the chance to take up courses and seminars that can help both themselves and their employers. These courses can include, for instance, CPR training or Automated External Defibrillation or simply AED. Through these courses, employees are equipped with crucial knowledge and skills that allow them to handle emergency situations in or out of the workplace until professional help is available.
Injury Protection
Workplace wellness programs can also help control or manage injury incidences at work, especially when the risk is high (for instance, among workers who have to do heavy lifting). According to a study, back strain and slips and falls are the two most prevalent types of injuries that to occur in the workplace. Through wellness programs, employees are taught proper lifting techniques, as well as techniques that help them avoid worsening any preexisting injuries and conditions they may have.
With increasing focus on workers’ health, corporate wellness programs are becoming a must. Research shows people who rarely exercise skip work 3.06 days a year, while those who exercise regularly do so 2.11 days annually. By these numbers alone, it is easy to see the importance of corporate wellness programs. Employers are now expected to be actively involved in making their workers healthier and safer and their cost-reduction strategies more efficient.
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