- Investing in employee health benefits leads to improved job performance and quality of life.
- Unhealthy employees can cost businesses direct and indirect costs and intangible costs associated with an unmotivated or unengaged workforce.
- Companies can promote health in the workplace by offering wellness benefits, encouraging physical activity, and providing healthy eating options.
- Employers should also strive to create an environment encouraging employees to practice self-care and relaxation.
The health and well-being of employees are essential for a successful business. If employees are unhealthy, productivity and efficiency suffer, leading to potential financial losses for the company. Fortunately, there are several strategies businesses can use to help their employees achieve optimum health. Here’s a brief look at some of these strategies more closely.
The Benefits of Healthy Employees
When employees are healthy, there’s a direct correlation between increased productivity and improved morale at work. A study from Harvard Business School found that when workers were given access to affordable health care benefits, their job performance improved, and their overall quality of life outside of work.
Additionally, companies that invest in employee wellness programs often see higher employee retention rates due to increased job satisfaction among staff members. In other words, taking care of your team leads to better business outcomes!
The Costs of Unhealthy Employees
Unhealthy employees can cost businesses in multiple ways. For starters, they are more likely to be absent from work due to illness or injury, which leads to lost productivity. Additionally, there are direct costs associated with healthcare and insurance coverage for sick employees and indirect costs such as hiring temporary workers to fill in during absences.
There’s the intangible cost associated with having an unmotivated or unengaged workforce—something difficult to quantify but can impact on morale and overall business performance.
Unhealthy employees tend to have lower energy and motivation levels than healthy ones, leading to decreased productivity at work. This could manifest itself in the form of slower response times or lower-quality output.
Additionally, suppose an employee’s health condition causes them chronic pain or fatigue. In that case, they may be less likely to participate in team activities or social events that could benefit their colleagues or contribute to the success of the company as a whole.
Promoting Health in the Workplace
As mentioned, investing in employee health benefits is a crucial step to take. However, there are other smaller steps employers can take to promote health in the workplace that don’t require a significant financial commitment. Here are some examples:
Offer Wellness Benefits
Another effective way companies can promote employee wellness is by offering wellness benefits such as gym memberships or all-expense paid dental visits. You can partner with your trusted dentist, where your employees can get dental service and routine checkups. Remember, dental health is an essential part of overall health, so investing in preventive dental care can positively affect employee well-being.
Encourage Physical Activity
Physical activity is essential for good health, yet many people struggle to find the time and energy to exercise regularly. Consider introducing workplace wellness programs such as team sports or fitness challenges to encourage physical activity amongst your workforce. This will allow employees to be active while helping them build relationships with their colleagues and stay motivated.
Provide Healthy Eating Options in the Workplace
Another way businesses can support employee wellness is by providing healthy eating options in the workplace. This could include stocking vending machines with nutritious snacks like granola bars or fruit instead of sugary treats like candy bars or chips.
It could also involve offering healthy meal options in company cafeterias or providing catering services that include fresh salads or vegetable-based dishes. These initiatives send a positive message about the importance of nutrition and may even inspire employees to make healthier choices outside of work.
Encourage Relaxation & Self-Care
Finally, employers should also strive to create an environment that encourages employees to practice self-care and relaxation. This could include offering access to counseling or stress management services or creating a designated relaxation area in the office where employees can take breaks throughout the day.
Your team members need to be able to rest and take mental health days when they need it. This allows them to recharge and come back feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the work day.
The Bottom Line
By implementing these strategies, employers can make real progress towards creating a healthier workplace and ultimately improve their business performance. Investing in employee well-being is beneficial not only for employees but also for the company as a whole. So start taking steps today to help your team achieve their optimum health!