Too many companies waste time and money on traditional wellness programs, which are typically underutilized and do not result in a high return on investment. But you can easily avoid this and instead create one of the best corporate wellness programs that not only improves your bottom line but also significantly boosts your company morale.
The Problem with the Traditional Wellness Program Approach
Too often we hear companies say, “We offer great benefits. Still, employees are not happy and then leave. We don’t know what they want.”
Even if your company is offering a gym membership or a more robust wellness program as part of the benefits, you might be wasting money.
The problem is that employers build wellness programs without knowing what the employees want. Though you might mean well, this sends the message that your employees are not valued, which is the opposite of what you intend – and this wastes money and time.
When Employees Feel Cared About, Everyone Wins
Employees want to feel valued, heard and cared about. When they don’t, everyone suffers loss.
In fact, fewer than 1 in 4 U.S. employees feel strongly that their organization cares about their well-being — the lowest percentage in nearly a decade (Gallup’s 3/18/22 “Percent Who Feel Employer Cares About Their Wellbeing Plummets”).
Other Gallup polls report that disengaged employees are estimated to cost the U.S. between $450 billion and $550 billion. According to one study, 41% of employers that have been negatively affected by a bad hire in the past year believe it cost their organization over $25,000. Twenty-four percent said it cost them more than $50,000 (Glassdoor for Employers).
Also, consider these statistics from Everyday Health Inc. and Global Wellness Institute’s 2016 Workplace Wellness Study about employee engagement and happiness.
Employees of caring companies are:
- 5 times more likely to feel their employer is supportive.
- 6 times more likely to feel a sense of openness and honesty at their companies.
- 7 times more likely to say their leaders and managers lead by example.
- Reporting fewer cases of “very high” stress levels (only 17% vs. 41% at non-caring companies.
- Dramatically more engaged than at non-caring companies. They are more than twice as likely to report that their work is satisfying (52% vs. 25%), exciting (33% vs. 16%) and interesting (66% vs. 30%).
- More likely to report that “they’re proud to be associated with their company” (68%) compared to 19% at non-caring organizations.
Taking it a step further, when a job causes an employee of a non-caring company to feel unwell:
- 84% say their mental health is affected.
- 68% say their physical health is affected.
- 75% say their overall happiness is affected.
- 52% say their family life is affected.
Instead, when you set out to create one of the best corporate wellness programs based on your employees’ needs, you show that you care while nurturing respect for and appreciation of your company.
On top of this, you can improve the mental and physical well-being of your team members while boosting retention, engagement and productivity.
It’s definitely a win-win!
How to Create One of the Best Corporate Wellness Programs
Instead of using a cookie-cutter approach or doing what seems right for your workplace wellness program, create a culture of caring by listening to your employees and responding to their needs.
Begin building a successful well-being program with a top-down and bottom-up approach, including leaders and all the employees in your organization. Get everyone on the same page and aligned with your plan. Leaders need to show their support and model well-being as your team has defined it.
At BreakWell, a wellness program is only one piece of the puzzle to consider. We create well-being programs that may incorporate up to 8 pillars of care depending on feedback from your team. Read more on these pillars in this blog. (link to pillar blog)
4 Steps to Better Employee Well-Being and ROI
- Ask. Find out what your employees want and need by asking the right questions about their lives and experiences at work.
- Action. Take steps to implement and execute solutions – right away.
- Assess and adjust. Frequently mirror your team’s changing needs and stages of life. Do not employ a set-it and forget-it approach.
- Appreciate. If you do not know where to start or do not yet have a budget, start with appreciation. A thank you and simple recognition goes a long way. But also anticipate that the money you invest in the right corporate well-being program will quickly become a non-negotiable budget item due to the results you see!
Using these steps, your company can create one of the best corporate wellness programs for both your ROI and your employees’ return on investment of time spent working for you. You can help them feel cared about, healthier, happier and proud of their workplace. They can help you feel the same…plus see your company financially grow!
For help building your workplace well-being program and culture of caring, schedule a complimentary 30-minute call with BreakWell today.