Workplace wellness programs are important and valuable for quite a few reasons. First, there’s the fact that when employees are healthy, they’re going to be happier and more productive. They’re also more likely to see their employer as valuing them when these programs are in place.
They’re good for employers as well, not only from the productivity standpoint but also because they can help lower healthcare costs shouldered by the business, and they can serve as a way to attract and retain top talent.
While there are plenty of reasons to put a wellness program in place, for small businesses it can be tough to know where to start. They may not know logistically or financially how a program like this is feasible, so below are some tips that small businesses can use to implement one of these programs.
Enroll in a Health Discount Program
If your small business does nothing else in the creation of a wellness program, enroll in a health care discount program like SingleCare.
What this does is it provides your employees with a membership that will allow them to find significant savings on everything from prescriptions to online doctor visits.
It’s free for businesses and employees, and it can go a long way in improving preventative care and helping employees stay healthier and miss less time at work.
Ask For Employee Input
A lot of small business owners want to start a wellness program, but they get overwhelmed and forget about the people who matter most in it: employees.
If you ask your employees what they’d like to see in a wellness program, you might find that it’s more attainable than what you would anticipate.
For example, something as simple as organizing a walking or running club at lunch, or bringing in a healthy lunch once a week could be good first steps to take.
Evaluate Insurance Claims
When you’re renewing company health insurance, you can take the time to look through claims data and see what health issues are most relevant to your employees, which is an easy, cost-effective way to tailor your wellness program and get the best ROI.
You can learn for example if several employees have a problem with blood pressure and then you might think about integrating regular screening into your program. You want to make sure you’re putting time and money into things that are relevant to the employees of your business.
Create a Friendly Competition
Finally, having an element of competition in the workplace can foster positive changes. Your wellness program could simply be an optional weight loss program as an example, where everyone who chooses to participate can, but of course, you want to ensure it is optional.
You can also integrate recognition or incentives into this type of program.
Make this an opportunity for employees to share their personal successes, and it costs the business nothing or next to nothing, but it can help with health and also morale and culture in the workplace.
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