As the world continues to grapple with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, it has become evident that COVID-19 has caused untold harm and suffering. And even as organizations allow employees to work from home and others to have flexible work schedules to reduce crowding in office spaces, it has become clear that keeping people on the job is not enough. More needs to be done to ensure employees, who are a critical component of any business, are well – mentally, financially, physically and psychologically. A comprehensive wellness program can do just that. Here are five reasons organizations should consider enhancing their current program.
Build loyalty and retain high-quality talent
The loyalty of any employee develops when they have complete trust in their employer. This trust is usually created when the employer listens and tends to the needs of their employees. Everyone wants to work for an organization that uses a human-centric approach to the employee experience. They want to work for a purpose, have flexibility, and join an organization that is committed to their health and overall well-being. Employees don’t just work for money – they want to know their employer cares about them and their well-being. A well-developed wellness program can create loyalty to your organization. Employers should assess their existing wellness program and determine if it meets their employees’ current needs.
Employee well-being impacts every stakeholder
While it can be argued that the customer is the most important aspect of any business, customer experience is mainly based on the employee experience. The employees of any organization, and their ability to be productive and engaged, impact every stakeholder – from managers and owners to customers and investors. Therefore, it is very important for organizations to recognize the importance of good overall well-being and the role it plays in the productivity and engagement of employees, which ultimately leads to the success of any organization.
Improve productivity
The productivity of any employee is determined by the amount of work they do within a typical workday. Poor employee productivity happens when a person is physically at work but not working. This is known as presenteeism. There are many reasons for poor employee productivity and health is at the top of the list, especially mental health. Presenteeism is usually associated with poor health behaviors and the presence of chronic disease or elevated health risks. To improve employee productivity, organizations need a strong wellness program that focuses on helping employees develop or maintain good health behaviors.
Reduce absenteeism
Poor health and elevated stress levels can result in missed work days. Interestingly, most companies that have a comprehensive wellness program experience reduced absenteeism. This is because employees who can manage health issues, including stress, miss less work. Wellness programs can also help employees improve their health, which leads to less missed days.
Build and sustain employee morale
People work better in an environment where they feel safe and heard rather than an environment that is harsh and unaccommodating. When management communicates openly with employees and listens to their concerns, employees feel valued and appreciated. Wellness programs can help employees fulfill social, physical and even emotional needs. An employer that takes the time to develop a wellness program is making a statement that it cares about it’s employees’ health and this helps build morale – and employees with high morale are more productive. And in a time when many employees are working remotely, fostering an environment that leads to high morale is important to an organization’s success.