These days, employees care just as much about company culture as they do about salaries and benefits, and a focus on workplace wellness tops the list of many people’s needs. In most cases, there’s no need to completely reform a company’s structure or business strategies to meet that need. Instead, read on to find some tips for promoting workplace wellness that won’t break the bank.
Help Stressed-Out Employees Relax
A stressful workplace can quickly lead to burnout, but there’s no avoiding the fact that some positions are difficult to hold. Helping stressed-out employees relax is a good way to keep even the busiest of them on track and productive.
Some companies promote relaxation by offering workers quiet rooms where they can meditate or take naps during breaks, while others hire corporate chair massage services. There’s no solution that’s right for every workforce, so try a few approaches and see which one works the best.
Encourage Connection
People who are happy at work often cite strong relationships with their coworkers as a top reason for liking their jobs. Encouraging connection among coworkers by promoting collaboration instead of competition can make people feel more supported in their work environments, reduce stress, and make it easier to maintain a healthy work-life balance. There are plenty of ways to encourage workers to form connections, such as providing more comfortable break rooms, organizing workplace parties, or even scheduling retreats.
Provide Healthy Snacks
Most companies provide their office employees with coffee and a vending machine, but that’s really not enough to meet modern workers’ needs. Think about upgrading to healthy snacks instead. It’s fine to leave the coffee pot in the break room, but substituting junk food and soda for water and healthier food options can help to remove the temptation to succumb to an unhealthy diet.
Pay for Fitness Memberships
Huge corporations have the resources to offer fitness programs in the office, but the same may not apply to all companies. Offering paid memberships to a local gym or yoga studio can be an affordable alternative for smaller companies, as can scheduling occasional group classes for before or after work hours. Because physical wellness is directly correlated to productivity, the cost of paying for employees’ fitness memberships offers a good return on investment.
Provide Advice Line Access
Nurse advice lines can form a valuable resource for employees focused on personal wellness. Including this kind of resource as part of an employee health plan can improve both physical and emotional wellness, as many advice lines are also designed to provide stress relief tips and mental health support. Workers who might feel uncomfortable seeking emotional support from a counselor or therapist provided by their employers are often more willing to use advice lines, as are those who might otherwise put off seeking help for physical problems.
Start Making Changes
There’s no one employee wellness solution that will fit every workplace. Business owners and upper management should start by implementing one or more of the tips above, then seek feedback from the affected employees. Consulting employees will make it easier to find out what works and what doesn’t
