Increasingly companies organize yoga classes, mindfulness programs or counseling sessions. At first it was a “trendy” aspect of company culture labeled as “corporate wellness”. The buzzword has, however, turned into a serious concern for companies these days. Corporate wellness programs encompass activities to support the physical and mental health of employees and in some cases also their spiritual well-being and their strive for balance in life. There has been a real shift in the last year towards taking employees’ well-being seriously in the workplace. It’s the foundation of a thriving business.
What’s new is that wellness is not just a talking point for forward thinking corporates – they are investing heavily in initiatives to help employees be better at their jobs, and indeed in life, and this is now a key factor in shaping company culture and determining individual success.
What Is Corporate Wellness, Exactly?
A corporate wellness program consists of numerous program activities offered to a company’s employees in order to foster overall health and wellness. A corporate wellness program can consist of many different activity types, including physical wellness activities (yoga, Zumba classes, employee competitions such as a step-a-thons and walking challenges, etc.) and mental and emotional wellness activities (stress management workshops, and employee assistance programs/counseling on site, etc.).
As employee benefits evolve, some employers are moving beyond medical coverage and offering wellness activities that encourage employees to practice mindfulness, eat healthy, exercise or otherwise remain healthy and well, regardless of whether they’re at work. They’re paying for activities such as meditation, healthy meal programs in the cafeteria and more.
At many companies, corporate wellness is used to create a workplace where employees can be fully human. Rather than seeing employees as separate body parts just sitting at computers all day, corporate wellness programs and activities are used to decrease stress, prevent burnout, and create a healthy and positive work environment.
By helping employees manage stress, employees will be happier. And happier employees are more present at work. Presence at work equals innovation at work.
Why Corporate Wellness is gaining attention?
Wellness programs are no longer a luxury item for big businesses. Large corporations are investing in employee wellness at record levels as new studies surface which reveal a healthy workforce directly translates to the bottom line.
1. Soaring Stress & Burnout Demand Action
Work has become a major contributor to the global health epidemic of stress and burnout. The following statistics are quite revealing.
• 35% of British workers take a work-free break abroad to somewhere sunnier in search of relief from stress at work.
• 58% of US workers feel pressured to work while on vacation.
• 70% of European managers describe themselves as “permanently stressed”.
Ignoring this crisis hurts both employees and businesses. Stressed workers are less productive, more prone to errors, and more likely to quit. Companies are countering this with:
- Stress management programs
- Mental health resources
- Encouragement of regular breaks and downtime
2. The New Workforce Prioritizes Well-being Over Hustle Culture
The notion that employees should just work harder (grind at all costs) is becoming less accepted. The younger workforce is increasingly expecting employers to actively support their overall health and wellbeing, be that physical, mental or emotional. The recent global pandemic and the way it has impacted both employees and organisations has highlighted the importance of wellbeing to performance.
Companies now offer:
- Flexible schedules & remote/hybrid work options
- On-site wellness activities (yoga, meditation, fitness classes)
- Clear boundaries between work and personal time
3. Wellness Benefits Are Now a Talent Magnet
It’s not just salary and perks that job seekers are looking for in their next role. According to a new report, they also want to work for companies that care about their health.
- 80% of employees say having access to mental health support at work is an important factor when applying for a new role.
- 71% of workers say that employers have become more aware of well-being since the recession, new research reveals.
Employers that provide access to therapy, gym memberships for employees and/or wellness stipends were noted during the recruitment and retention efforts.
4. The Business Case Is Undeniable (It Pays Off!)
Although Wellness and Employee Well-being initiatives are becoming more prevalent, the culture and the way organizations talk about wellness have not kept pace with the effectiveness of the programs themselves.
Healthy employees is a unique approach that recognizes the link between healthy workers and more productive employees who require less time off work. By reducing your company’s healthcare costs, employees can benefit in a number of ways, from eating a balanced diet to becoming more active.
5. Humanizing Work Builds Stronger Cultures
While it’s easy enough to measure the growth of your wellness program (participation, member health, success), the greatest benefits come from building a culture of trust, connection, and loyalty with your members. They:
- Break the stigma around mental health
- Strengthen team bonds through wellness activities
- Show your staff that you value them as people, not just employees in your workplace.
What once was a great perk has become a strategic imperative to business success. Our report reveals the many benefits organizations can reap from their investments in employee wellness. Caring, sustainable growth is good business.
Corporate Wellness in Action: Real Examples of Wellness Programs
Wellness programs have been established in many different industries, often with differing goals and methods. The following is an overview of a few examples.
We look into some real life examples of how online wellness can feel far removed from reality. Here’s a rundown of the most common types of corporate wellness programs out there.:
- Yoga Sessions: One of the trending activities in the business-to-business industry that we’ve seen growing in popularity are Yoga Sessions. Many companies are incorporating yoga into their work environments by having an instructor come in to lead one or two sessions per week. These can be early morning or lunchtime sessions held in a conference room or office space, and employees can participate in simple stretching and yoga. It can help improve posture, alleviate back pain associated with sitting long hours in front of computers, and can help to reduce stress. It can be a great way to practice yoga with a group of people and can be a lot of fun as a team building activity.
- Mindfulness and Meditation Workshops: Mindfulness has gone mainstream and companies are starting to catch on. Many companies now host morning meditation sessions and workshops and lectures on different mindfulness practices and techniques. The practices are not intended to turn employees into “Yogis at work,” rather simple tools to manage stress and increase focus. Employees are taught simple practices such as a 5 minute breathing exercise that they can do at their desk. Many companies are even starting to create “mindfulness rooms” for employees to practice meditation and silent sitting. Companies like Salesforce practice mindfulness in order to increase productivity, but incorporating mindfulness into your life means that you can stop, refocus and then get back to work as needed.
- Counseling and Mental Health Programs: While physical health is a priority in a corporate wellness program, mental health is also becoming a high priority for many companies. In addition to yoga classes or Zumba sessions, some companies offer employees access to counseling services or an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that offers free 90-minute sessions with a licensed therapist. Many companies even sponsor group counseling sessions or host workshops on stress management, emotional resilience and other topics. Most importantly, some of the most effective things a company can do is to create a workplace culture in which seeking help is totally normal and encouraged. And, many companies are even sponsoring programs to help employees with their financial wellness, since money concerns are a major factor in many people’s mental health. We evaluate how seriously a company treats mental health by looking at the resources it provides to employees. For example, large insurance company Aetna offers its employees free classes in mindfulness and yoga to support mental health. Employees gained about 62 minutes of productivity in the workplace per week on average, and reported a 28% decrease in stress.
- Fitness and Physical Health Initiatives: Aside from yoga, it has seen companies support physical health and fitness initiatives. Some of these initiatives include low-cost gym memberships, on-site exercise facilities with showers, physical activity competitions for teams such as steps contests, company weight loss competitions, workshops on nutrition, programs on ergonomics which help with setting up your workspace to prevent back problems, eating and cooking workshops, on-site health screenings, and flu-shot clinics. When you are physically well, you are better suited to perform at work and interact with others in a positive way. Being well helps you do your best work and get along with others. Companies support activity because it benefits both employees and the organization. It is in the interest of the company to have healthy employees. Healthy employees are more productive, have better work relationships, and are also more likely to enjoy their job and be committed to the company.
- Flexible Work and Rest Opportunities: Wellness is something that we can support in another way. That is by giving employees the flexibility they need to manage their work and their life. For example we can offer hours so they can go to a doctor’s appointment or their kids’ school play. We can also let them do their work from home. A lot of companies now give their employees ” health days” where they can take a day off when they feel like they need it. We should give our employees incentives to use all of their vacation days. We can even have company- wellness days. It is an idea to create relaxing spaces at work like a comfortable lounge where employees can sit and work quietly or just relax in a calm atmosphere, with dim lights. Some progressive companies even have special pods where people can take a nap. Some companies are starting to think that taking it easy is not always a thing. They are putting up signs that say “No Meeting Wednesday” over their offices. These signs show that companies are starting to understand that downtime is valuable and that everyone works differently and has energy levels. They are letting their employees manage their work hours so they can do their best work. Wellness and flexibility are important for employees and companies are starting to see that. By giving employees flexibility we are supporting their wellness. Helping them to manage their work and life..
These are just a few examples, but they paint the picture: corporate wellness can take many forms. Whether it’s a guided meditation before a big project, a weekly fruit basket in the break room to promote healthy snacks, or a full-fledged wellness fair with health screenings and fitness classes – the possibilities are endless. The best programs are often those tailored to what employees actually want and need. Some offices might prefer group activities like sports or yoga; others might value one-on-one counseling or education on topics like sleep and nutrition. There’s no one-size-fits-all, which is why many companies survey their employees for input when designing wellness initiatives. The common thread, though, is a focus on helping people be healthier and happier.
Corporate Wellness: A Vital Shift and How Masi Wellness Can Guide You
Corporate wellness is not a fad it’s a must-have for companies that want to succeed. When people are happy and healthy they work better.
- Reducing stress and supporting health helps employees feel better.
- A good balance between work and life makes people happier and more productive.
Many companies start small with things like yoga classes or flexible schedules. Over time they add programs to support employee wellness.
You don’t have to figure it out on your own. Masi Wellness offers solutions like yoga and mindfulness sessions. We also provide counseling and workshops that focus on well-being. Our experts help make wellness a natural part of your company culture.
Wellness and work go hand-in-hand. Investing in your people can be one of the decisions you make as a company.
Here’s, to creating happier workplaces for everyone
If you’re curious about how to start (or deepen) your company’s wellness journey, explore our resources or drop us a message. No sales pitches – just real talk about building healthier workplaces.
References
American Psychological Association (APA) – Work and Well-Being Survey 2022
https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2022/05/work-and-well-being
Gallup – Employee Wellbeing Is Key for Workplace Success
https://www.gallup.com/workplace/310313/employee-wellbeing-key-workplace-success.aspx
Forbes – The ROI of Employee Wellness Programs
https://www.forbes.com/sites/alankohll/2018/09/12/the-roi-of-employee-wellness-programs
Harvard Business Review – What’s the Hard Return on Employee Wellness Programs?
https://hbr.org/2010/12/whats-the-hard-return-on-employee-wellness-programs
SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) – Workplace Wellness and Mental Health
https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/hr-topics/benefits/pages/workplace-wellness-mental-health.aspx
Salesforce – How Mindfulness Is Being Built Into the Workplace
https://www.salesforce.com/news/stories/mindfulness-at-work
Aetna – Mindfulness and Well-being Programs
https://news.aetna.com/news-releases/mindfulness-offerings/
