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What A Good Employee Wellness Program Should Have

Posted on April 25th, 2009. Filed under: Health.
by Benedict Hunter

This year, more and more companies are looking to preventative health maintenance to keep down their insurance costs and boost employee morale by offering “wellness programs” as part of their benefits package. A few improvements made by these programs are:

* More productive work force

* reduced absenteeism

* a considerable boost in employee morale

* lower health care costs and

* Better ability to retain good workers

For a company to thrive and succeed in the market place, it is vital for it to provide its labor force with an environment that they are happy to work in. A highly productive work force translates to business success and longevity.

What can a corporation to do ensure that its wellness program will be successful?

Convenience Is Key in a Great Wellness Program

Companies should encourage its work force to be more active and they can do this by providing ample opportunities for exercise. Some companies have in-house facilities such as swimming pools, corporate gyms, basketball and tennis courts and the like. If the current location doesn’t have these facilities then perhaps companies can offer their employees free memberships at clubs and offsite fitness facilities.

Family-inclusive

A wellness program that includes workers’ family members is good motivation for them to keep performing well. This gives off the impression that the company is truly concerned about its workers. Fitness is a family affair and what better way to sustain fitness efforts than to get everybody in the family involved?

Programs to Address Stress and Anxiety

Stressed out workers are prone to illness, depression, and anxiety disorders. A comprehensive fitness program will teach them to address these issues with exercise and lifestyle changes. An even more thorough and effective plan is to offer counseling to stressed employees and those who may be going through tough times.

Readily Available Health Care

If at all possible, provide workers with a healthcare facility in the workplace. This benefits everyone, since employees will be more likely to see a doctor before an illness becomes worse. Employers will see fewer absentees and lower medical costs.

Comprehensive Wellness Instructors

Employees who put all their energy into work-related endeavors might have trouble getting motivated to work out. Your company may want to provide them with Wellness Coaches who can keep track of their training and give encouragement when they need it. This type of instruction addresses stress and helps workers cope with that and other risky medical conditions.

Strict implementation of no smoking rules

Smoking is bad for those who do it and those who are subject to second-hand smoke, so keep your work force healthier by banning tobacco completely. And don’t just post a No Smoking sign in your break room; to be effective the rules need to be enforced and positive encouragement given. You may even decide to actively encourage your workers to quit by providing access to support groups and medical attention designed to make quitting easier.

Slimming Down the Workforce

An effective weight-control program will combat obesity and all the health risks it entails. Promote healthy weight loss with communal activities, and help workers develop better weight control habits. It is important that this encouragement continue even after the immediate problem is resolved.

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