Definition - What does Employee Wellness Program mean?
An employee wellness program refers to any program centering around health and fitness methodologies that companies utilize in accommodating the mental and physical health needs of their workforce. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sedentary occupations and persistent stress can adversely impact various aspects of one's health including body mass index (BMI), cholesterol, and blood glucose levels, which in turn can lead to epidemiological health risks and emotional disturbances including anxiety, depression, and obesity.
SureHire explains Employee Wellness Program
To many companies, employee wellness programs represent the mainstay in promoting a culture of health and fitness where diet and nutrition, consistent exercise, and mental soundness are essential to job performance. A workplace environment can benefit from employee wellness programs through decreased absenteeism, bolstering morale, and offsetting healthcare costs attributed to accidents/injuries and high morbidity rate. A proactive approach that involves coordination between employers and its staff to share information and gather feedback about employee wellness program strategies is favorable to the company’s bottom line.
In many fields, employees must meet job demands at the expense of their health and welfare. Schedules become very busy and the quality of work becomes substandard. Employee wellness programs offer practical incentives to align employees with health standards in the workplace tailored around different activities and benefits. For example, gym membership reimbursements, massage and yoga sessions, limiting work hours, regular social engagements, and seasonal vaccinations are demonstrative avenues in prioritizing good mental and physical condition.
An employee wellness program is an integral component of a health and safety policy and helps in curbing detrimental workplace accidents and injuries with the potential of lowering morale, increasing turnover rate, and undercutting productivity. Employers and staff share a uniform goal of advancing a health-conscious atmosphere in line with a company budget where the cost-to-benefit ratio is comparatively better than worker’s compensation liabilities.
