Wellness at work is not just a line in a recruitment ad to help you secure quality candidates in a tight labour market.  Or at least, it shouldn’t be!  Employers who focus on fostering wellness among their employees reap numerous benefits including improved performance, increased productivity, and a happier and healthier workplace environment. Let’s dive into some simple yet effective strategies that every employer can adopt to prioritise the mental and physical well-being of their employees.

Lunchtime walking groups

What better way to incorporate wellness into the workday than organising walking groups during lunch breaks? Walking is an easy get when it comes to wellness programs as it is low cost and its low impact meaning people of all fitness levels can participate.  A walk and talk allows colleagues to chat in a casual and neutral environment allowing them to build connections that will enhance workplace interactions.

Walking is known to stimulate creative thinking and problem solving and the change of scenery and physical activity can encourage fresh perspectives and ideas. Further, walking can improve concentration and cognitive function. Employees often return to work feeling more refreshed and focused, leading to increased productivity.

Stand Up and Walking Meetings

Getting employees to stand for periods of time is easily encouraged if you adopt a stand-up meeting strategy. This can be as simple as any meeting that is scheduled for 40mins or less becomes a stand up meeting. Stand up meetings are not only faster and more efficient, they promote wellness at work in a simple and effective way.

Walking meetings are some of our favourites! When there are 3 or less people meeting for a discussion, walking while talking is a great health benefit – a touch of exercise, some vitamin D, some strong meeting outcomes and you’re away.

Bike storage at work

While some of us find the extraordinarily uncomfortable bike seats a deterrent, there are those that love the idea of cycling to work.  And what a brilliant way to slip in some exercise and improve fitness.  Morning exercise can set up your energy levels for the day, so cycling is an option to be encouraged where possible. 

If the distance from home to work is not a hinderance, sometimes it’s the lack of storage facilities that will put the brakes on riding to the office.  My sister in law is a nurse and loves to ride to work.  That all had to stop when she clocked off late one evening and found that someone had relieved her bike of its wheels.  While a bike is a cheaper investment than a car (sometimes), but we all want to know that our chosen mode of transport will still be in place and viable when we want to go home.

The added bonus of providing storage for bikes is that you don’t have a plethora of the two wheeled machines cluttering up the office space and tripping everyone over!

Food glorious food

We all know the old saying that we are what we eat.  Regular consumption of fried, stodgy or sugary food is absolutely linked to poor health including lethargy, poor immunity and brain fog all of which impact productivity.  It’s far too easy to slip into bad habits at work if the easiest food to access is fried or full of sugar. 

Employers can take a proactive approach by promoting healthy eating habits among their employees. Instead of stocking common areas with chocolate bars and soft drinks why not offer fruit baskets, nuts, protein-rich snacks, on tap iced water and other nutritious alternatives? Simple changes in the office pantry can go a long way in encouraging healthier food choices and supporting optimal physical performance throughout the day.

How about healthy eating challenges such as salad or soup of the day.  Each day someone different can share a recipe for a nutritious and delicious, easy to make, cost effective lunch idea and everyone can join in making their own version for themselves that they compare and eat as a group.  A fun idea that builds the wellness at work culture along with team bonding and healthier employees – what’s not to love?

Sweat it out

Employer-funded exercise programs are a strategic investment which supports a healthier workforce – it’s a form of preventative healthcare!  A fit and active workforce tends to have higher energy levels which in turn translates into better focus and enthusiasm throughout the workday.  I know, it feels like exercise should cause us to be tired but in reality, it boosts both physical and mental energy! If your workplace can partially or fully fund an employee activity to encourage exercise, then generally you will see a much better return on investment than a generic team building day or staff drinks at the pub!

Ohhmmmmm

Addressing physical health can be easy but what about mental health?  Sometimes in the midst of all our busyness at work, incorporating moments of calm amidst a busy workday is crucial for both mental and physical well-being.  Consider offering lunchtime meditation or yoga sessions where you as an employer deliver a space and the time for employees to unwind, destress, and recharge their minds. These activities not only promote relaxation but are the key to improved focus, creativity, and overall job satisfaction.

Do you have a spare meeting room or space? Consider turning it into a quiet room with a lounge chair where people are able to turn out the light and just ‘be’. One of our clients has a quiet room and all levels of employees can be found mediating alone or even having a quick 10min recharge nap. It’s great for employee wellness and improves productivity! George Costanza with his under-desk bed had it going on!

Health hour

Imagine having a designated hour every week to prioritize personal well-being! Employers can introduce a "Health Hour," allowing employees paid time off to engage in activities that promote their mental and physical health. Whether it's going for a run, attending a fitness class, or simply reading a book in a nearby park, this dedicated time enables employees to rejuvenate and return to work with enhanced productivity and motivation.

Doctor doctor

Not everyone prioritises their health, which is obviously to their own detriment.  But what happens when an employer not only encourages but subsidises regular checks such as blood pressure, cholesterol, skin, lung function and so on? Many employers set up onsite flu vaccinations for employees at the start of flu season, and others reimburse the cost. All or any of those areas of our health that many of us overlook due to being time poor or financially strapped but a simple check could be the difference between staying well or becoming chronically ill. 

Preventative health measures may seem costly until you compare them to the cost of managing an unwell employee.  That cost can include the paid leave, lost productivity, back filling key roles and the impact and stress that can impact co-workers.  While the individual health of your employees is not your ultimate responsibility, a healthy workforce is to your benefit.  As they say, an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. 

Wellness at work is mutually beneficial

By fostering a culture of wellness, employers demonstrate their commitment to the overall well-being of their employees. In return, employees feel valued, motivated, and appreciated, ultimately resulting in enhanced performance, increased productivity, and a positive culture.

If you want to introduce a wellness program into your business and would like advice on how to establish and rollout the initiative, contact the HR Staff n’ Stuff team now.