Why is Workplace Wellness Important for Your Business?

Workplace wellness is a growing trend for many organisations. Once viewed as a way to reward employees, workplace wellness programmes have become an important investment in the health of staff. With health care costs skyrocketing and employee absenteeism rising, more businesses are realising the benefits of a healthy workplace culture. Read on to discover some of the most important reasons why workplace wellness is important for your business.

Investing in a culture of wellness

A modern workforce is plagued by high levels of stress and burnout. As the pandemic swept the nation, workplace stress and burnout grew. Managing an epidemic, and establishing a culture of wellness, is important for maintaining an engaged workforce. Global Wellness Day is celebrated on March 7, and this year's focus on workplace wellness is particularly appropriate. A new study conducted by Oracle found that workplace stress has increased significantly since Covid-19. And a recent Workplace Intelligence study shows that 2020 will be the most stressful year for employees.

Health and wellness initiatives must be cost-effective and accessible for employees. It is important to make health care costs an integral part of a wellness program, while offering low-cost, on-site programs that encourage employees to practice healthy habits. Health care costs are reduced and employee pride, commitment and trust increase as a result of wellness-related activities. Companies that invest in a culture of wellness at work are likely to perform better than their non-participant counterparts.

A robust wellness program is crucial to creating a positive culture. A winning culture is one that rewards employees for improving their health and well-being. A wellness program shows employees that their employer cares about them and is committed to their wellbeing. It is important to remember, though, that the process of creating a culture of wellness takes time, and requires persuasive leadership on all levels. To achieve this, wellness programs must be well-designed, comprehensive and engaging.

While it is difficult to measure employee morale, it is a proven fact that a great workplace promotes productivity, increases retention and improves overall business results. Sedentary work habits and obesity have been linked with sky-high health care costs. So, investing in employee wellness can help you realize significant savings and create a great work environment. So, make it a point to invest in a workplace wellness program today.

Reducing absenteeism

The reduction of absenteeism is a key element of the overall workplace wellness agenda. The high opportunity cost of time off work is a powerful motivation to stay at work. It also lowers the employee's stress levels and can even lead to overtime pay. A reduced absenteeism rate also contributes to the overall knowledge base of the organization and workgroup, as well as the replacement of absent workers.

One way to decrease absenteeism is to make employees more engaged and happy. By asking them questions and giving them options for self-care, employers can help them stay focused on the job. Happy employees are less likely to experience high stress levels or burnout, so making their working environment more conducive to happiness can improve their work performance. Some workplace wellness initiatives include moving furniture to create an open working environment, which reduces stress levels. Another important aspect of workplace wellness is encouraging exercise. Studies show that people who do not exercise regularly have a greater risk of developing mental health issues and are more likely to suffer from burnout.

Another important aspect of workplace wellness is that it improves employee productivity. When employees maintain healthy blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose levels, their absenteeism is reduced. In addition, employees who engage in wellness activities tend to spend less time at their desks, which increases their chance of getting involved. This in turn helps to reduce absenteeism. In addition, a wellness program will improve the bottom line of the organization by lowering health costs.

An employee's absence rate may vary by gender. Among women, the absence rate is higher than that of men. This is due to biological and sociological differences. Mothers often stay home from work due to illness. Women's illness reasons also differ from men's. Males suffer from more physical conditions, while females tend to suffer from psychiatric problems. In some cases, they also have more time off due to family responsibilities.

Increasing physical activity

Increasing physical activity is important for workplace wellness in many ways. Regular activity contributes to better moods and increased productivity. Physical activity also has several health benefits, including reduced stress and increased productivity. More workplaces are promoting physical activity and team-based activities to improve the culture and ergonomics of the workplace. Experts recommend that adults engage in 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week, divided into 30 minute sessions.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines physical activity as any activity that requires an expending of energy. It refers to all types of physical activity, from walking to cycling to wheeling. Most popular types of physical activity include biking, walking, and active recreation. Studies show that moderate to vigorous-intensity physical activity can prevent chronic diseases, promote weight loss, and improve mental health. However, not all workplaces are promoting physical activity.

Several benefits of increased physical activity can be directly tied to increased productivity. Among other benefits, employees with high levels of physical activity have lower rates of absenteeism. This is attributed to their stronger immune systems. Increasing physical activity has been linked to decreased rates of chronic absenteeism and increased creative abilities. By increasing physical activity, employees can contribute to the company's bottom line and avoid costly health care claims.

Aside from improving workplace physical activity, employers can also encourage a healthy work environment by creating policies that encourage employees to take the stairs. The CDC Stairwell to Better Health initiative addresses the safety and aesthetics of stairwells, and implementing a program like this can help the workplace become a healthier place for employees. Many companies also have fun by establishing staff competitions or simple challenges for staff to get moving.

Reducing health care costs

A new study has shown that implementing a wellness program can reduce health care costs. Chronic diseases like cancer and heart disease cost our nation more than $5 billion per person a year. Because these diseases are preventable, employers are encouraged to reduce employee risks. The good news is that most chronic diseases are preventable. Employees who engage in risky behaviors such as tobacco use and lack of physical activity can avoid or delay the onset of these conditions. These workplace wellness programs can also increase employee productivity, reduce absenteeism, and lower health-care costs.

Chronic illnesses affect 50 percent of American adults and account for 75 percent of health care spending. This costs your company in absenteeism, productivity, safety, and morale. In addition, a culture of health can help manage long-term health care costs. On average, an employer can save between $3,000 and $4,000 per employee per year by implementing a workplace wellness program. Additionally, 80 percent of illnesses are preventable. For example, heart disease is a lifestyle disease, which means that promoting healthier habits will save you money.

A new study from the Rand Corporation examined 10 years of health care costs for a Fortune 100 employer's wellness program. It found that an employee wellness program that targeted unhealthy behaviors had a significant impact on healthcare costs. The program's disease management component reduced healthcare costs by almost $136 per month for each participating employee. These results were further confirmed by a study comparing health risk factors with costs. The findings of these studies are promising for companies looking for ways to reduce health care costs. If you're interested in starting a workplace wellness program, don't be afraid to consult an expert.

In addition to providing better health for employees, workplace wellness programs also can help employers lower the costs associated with business health insurance. Walmart, for instance, recently dropped health insurance coverage for part-time workers. Then, other companies have followed suit. In the meantime, you can lower healthcare costs by creating a wellness program that works for your company. Just remember that you need to balance the costs and benefits of a wellness program.