(804) 673-6676
Employee Wellness Programs are a key factor in employee engagement and overall company success in today’s business world. Wellness programs are consistently evolving and changing as employee demands shift. Companies are constantly looking for new ways to engage and encourage their employees, preferably at a lower cost. Below are some effective and cost-efficient ways to enhance your employee wellness programs, leaving your employees happier and more excited about work!
- Walk and Talk Meetings
Walk and Talk meetings are becoming a popular new way that companies can encourage employee fitness in the workplace. The average American employee spends the vast majority of the day sitting at the desk, and studies show that 86% of them hate it. The walk and talk meetings provide a way to get up and move around, while still being productive with the work that needs to be accomplished. In addition, walking boosts creativity and new environments produce fresh ideas. A Stanford study recently found that, “walking has a very specific benefit – the improvement of creativity.” So, next time you’re looking for a boost of creativity and activity in your schedule, consider taking your meeting for a walk.
- Fit Bit Challenges
Fit Bits are one of the most popular fitness trackers on the market. Several employees already have personal Fit Bits so bringing them into the workplace is an easy transition. For those that do not, many companies are buying them in large bundles for resale at discounted rates to their employees. Companies are finding innovative ways to incorporate Fit Bits into their wellness programs to keep employees active while also fostering teamwork. According to Fit Bit, by holding challenges and competitions using the Fit Bit, companies create group health that is easily trackable. More specifically, “Fit Bit users with one or more friends are 27% more active.” The concept of using the Fit Bit with other employees builds better relationships as well as holds them accountable for being active.
The challenges are a simple and cost efficient way to improve overall health and many companies have had great success through using the Fit Bit. For example, The Cleveland Cavaliers’ employees did a Fit Bit walking challenge in which they logged their daily activities and food. In order to entice workers to take part, they held competitions with prizes that spiked employee participation and overall health and happiness. The result of the challenge- “employees reached their personal fitness and weight loss goals, conference room meetings became walking meetings, and elevator trips were nixed in favor of the stairs. By the time their challenge came to a close, participants had recorded a cumulative 76.6 million steps—more than 38,000 miles—and created new healthy habits to take into the future.” Your company could be the next to see amazing FitBit challenge results!
- Healthy Vending Machines
In order to achieve a healthy lifestyle, the combination of exercise and healthy eating is essential. For busy employees, grabbing a quick snack is a typical daily routine, however these quick grabs are often unhealthy. Keeping healthy vending machines, or stocking the fridge with fruits and vegetables allows workers to snag a healthy snack that will aid overall health and also satisfy mid-day hunger cravings. In addition, eating healthy has many cognitive benefits that can transfer into employees’ work. For example, typical benefits that arise from healthy eating are an increase in concentration and alertness, generating better work from each of your employees.
- Competitions
Competitions can easily be tailored to fit your company’s culture! One of the most popular workplace competitions is the Biggest Loser challenge. In this type of challenge, the employee or team of employees sets a weight loss goal. The group that loses the most weight by the end of the allotted competition time wins! Another popular challenge is signing up for local 5Ks or half marathons and running the race with your co-workers. You can encourage employees to partake in fitness challenges by having prizes or monetary rewards. Aside from the obvious health results, challenges like these encourage teamwork and healthy competition inside the workplace. Above all else, it’s important to get creative with whichever competition you choose!
The key to a successful wellness program is to make it personal to what your employees enjoy and will want to participate in. These are just a few ways that you can find success in employee wellness throughout your company. So, boost your overall employee morale and efficiency by implementing these simple yet cost efficient wellness ideas in your daily routines!
Contributed by Nicole Federico