Employee health programs are a great way to improve the overall health and productivity of your workforce. By implementing a program that encourages healthy habits, you can help reduce absenteeism, lower healthcare costs, and increase employee morale. In this blog post, we will discuss 10 creative employee health program examples that you can use as inspiration for your own business.
What Are Employee Health Programs?
Employee health programs are wellness initiatives offered by employers to help employees maintain or improve their health. These programs can include health screenings, fitness classes, weight-loss programs, and smoking cessation programs, among others.
Employee health programs are beneficial for both employees and employers. It is also believed that these programs can lead to increased productivity in the workplace. In fact, these programs in the workplace are gaining popularity in recent years.
Moreover, these programs are simply referred to as “wellness programs”. And they are sometimes called “corporate wellness programs”, “workplace wellness programs”, or “employee wellness programs”.
While the terms are used interchangeably, there is a slight difference between workplace wellness and employee health programs. Workplace wellness usually refers to initiatives that promote healthy lifestyle choices and preventative care. Meanwhile, employee health programs encompass a wider range of services that also include treatment and management of existing health conditions.
What Are the Benefits of Employee Health Programs?
There are many benefits of employee health programs. Some of these benefits include;
Reducing sick days
Employee health programs are believed to reduce the number of sick days employees take. This is because healthy employees are less likely to get sick and miss work. And, in the workplace, they’re more likely to be productive. There have been studies that show how much healthy programs at the workplace can actually impact employee productivity.
Boosting productivity
When employees are healthy, they’re more likely to be productive. This is because they have more energy and are less likely to get sick. And, when employees are productive, it can help the bottom line of a company. Also, productivity is linked to employee retention. So, if a company can keep its employees healthy and productive, it’s more likely to keep them around.
Improving morale
Employee health programs can also improve morale in the workplace. This is because employees feel like their company cares about their well-being and is investing in their health. And, when morale is high, it can lead to increased productivity and retention. So, it is important fr employers to invest in employee health programs.
Employee health programs can also help to reduce healthcare costs. When employees are healthy, they require less medical care. This means that companies save money on insurance premiums and healthcare expenses. In this way, employee health programs are a win-win for both employees and employers.
Therefore, it is important to be aware of the benefits in order to have a more productive workplace. If you are an employer, think about implementing some employee health programs at your company. If you are an employee, take advantage of the programs that your company offers.
Employee Health Program Examples
There are a ton of employee health program examples out there to choose from. But, how do you know which ones will actually work for your company? And, more importantly, how do you know which ones will boost productivity?
Here are ten creative employee health program examples that are sure to get your employees excited about being healthy:
Example #01: Offer On-Site Health screenings
One way to promote employee health is to offer on-site health screenings. These can be done by a nurse or other health care professional. And can include things like blood pressure checks, cholesterol tests, and more. This is a great way to get employees thinking about their health and what they can do to improve it.
Moreover, health screenings are a great way to identify any health risks that employees may be facing. By offering these screenings, you can catch potential health problems early and get employees the help they need to stay healthy and productive.
Example #02: Provide Healthy Snacks
Another way to promote employee health is to provide healthy snacks. This can be anything from fruits and vegetables to whole grain snacks. And, it’s a great way to show your employees that you care about their health. Providing healthy snacks is directly linked to increased productivity. Because it provides employees with the energy they need to power through their workday.
Moreover, studies have shown that employees who eat healthy snacks are less likely to get sick. So, not only will they be more productive, but they’ll also take fewer sick days. In fact, one study found that employees who eat healthy snacks take, on average, two fewer sick days per year.
Example #03: Offer Fitness Classes
If you have the space, you could offer fitness classes at your workplace. This is a great way to get employees moving and active. And, it’s a great way to promote team building. This is often done during lunch breaks or after work. And, it’s a great way to get employees to stick to their fitness goals.
However, if you don’t have the space for fitness classes, you could always offer discounts to local gyms or workout facilities. This is a great way to promote employee health and wellness. And, it’s a great way to save your employees money. In this way, your employees will be more likely to use the facilities and, as a result, get healthier.
Example #04: Give Employees Pedometers
A pedometer is a great way to encourage employees to get up and move. And, it’s a great way to track their progress. The pedometer is generally defined as a device worn by a person and counts every step taken by him.
This is an easy way to get employees moving and active. And, it’s a great way to encourage friendly competition. Employees can challenge each other to see who can take the most steps in a day or week. And, the person with the most steps can be given a prize. This is a great way to promote employee health and wellness.
Example #05: Offer Health Coaching
Health coaching is a great way to help employees make lifestyle changes. And, it’s a great way to promote employee health and wellness. A health coach is someone who helps an individual reach their health and wellness goals.
A health coach will work with an individual to create a plan. And, they’ll help them make changes to their lifestyle. This could include things like eating better, exercising more, or quitting smoking. Health coaching is a great way to encourage employees to make healthier choices.
Example #06: Offer Paid Time Off for Health Appointments
This is considerably more important if you have employees who are parents. Because, as a parent, it can be difficult to find time to go to the doctor or dentist. However, by offering paid time off for health appointments, you’re encouraging your employees to take care of their health.
This is a great way to promote employee health and wellness. In fact, one study found that employees who have access to paid time off for health appointments are more likely to get preventive care. And, as a result, they’re less likely to experience health problems down the road.
Example #07: Offer Telecommuting
Telecommuting is a great way to promote employee health and wellness. Telecommuting is when an employee works from home, instead of coming into the office. It is often done one or two days per week. Telecommuting has been found to have a number of health benefits.
For example, it’s been found to reduce stress levels. And, it’s been found to improve mental health. In addition, telecommuting can also lead to increased physical activity. And, it’s a great way to promote a healthy work/life balance. Telecommuting can also help reduce exposure to sick employees. In fact, one study found that telecommuting can reduce the spread of illness by up to 60%.
Example #08: Offer Standing Desks
Standing desks are a great way to promote employee health and wellness. Standing desks are desks that allow employees to stand while they work. This has been shown to improve posture, increase energy levels, and boost productivity.
In fact, one study found that standing desks can increase productivity by up to 15%. However, standing desks are not for everyone. So, it’s important to offer a variety of desk options. And, it should be for employees to choose what works best for them.
Example #09: Have a Weight Loss Challenge
A weight-loss challenge is a great way to get employees motivated to lose weight. And, it’s a great way to promote healthy competition. This might include things like;
- tracking weight loss,
- measuring body fat percentage,
- or tracking inches lost.
The challenge can be done individually or in teams. And, the prize can be something like a gift card or extra vacation days. This is a great way to promote employee health and wellness. Moreover, it can also help improve morale and build team camaraderie.
Example #10: Offer Flexible Work Hours
Flexible work hours are a great way to promote employee health and wellness. Flexible work hours allow employees to choose when they start and end their workday. This can be a great way to reduce stress levels.
And, it can also help promote a healthy work/life balance. Flexible work hours are not for everyone. So, it’s important to offer a variety of options. And, it should be up to employees to choose what works best for them. However, it should be noted that flexible work hours can lead to decreased productivity.
So, it’s important to have a plan in place. And, it’s important to make sure that employees are still meeting their deadlines. These are employee health program examples to help you get started. Implementing these programs can help boost productivity and improve employee health and wellness.
Conclusion
To conclude, employee health program examples is a great way to promote productivity in your workplace. By investing in the health and well-being of your employees, you can create a productive, happy, and healthy work environment.
There are many different ways to implement an employee health program. The key is to find what works best for your company and your employees. Also, remember to keep the program fun and engaging so that employees will want to participate.
Moreover, if you want more information or guidance on the same, please reach out to Mantra Care Wellness. We are a team of experts who can help you create a customized employee health program that will promote productivity and wellness in your workplace.
A Word From MantraCare Wellness
Employee wellness programs are the key to improving employee motivation, productivity, and retention. At MantraCare Wellness, we have a team of health experts, counselors, and coaches who serve corporate employees with 10+ wellbeing programs including EAP, Employee Diabetes Reversal, Corporate MSK, PCOS, Employee Fitness, Corporate Yoga, Employee meditation, and Employee Smoking Cessation.