Partner Article

You Should Consider a Corporate Wellness Program

The last 5 years has seen businesses throughout the UK buy into the concept of ‘corporate social responsibility’. The emergence of millennial entrepreneurs have undoubtedly brought with them an ethical stance to their business model, increasing the authenticity and honesty that surrounds the brand. These attributes are becoming high on the agenda for potential customers, as they become less concerned about our offerings and more about the impact that we are having on society and communities.

“Corporate leaders have the ability to transform culture. By placing employee health at the forefront, you directly impact performance and solidify a relational bond hard to be broken by opposing workplace competitors” comments Femi Doyle Marshall, Founder and Director of Strength and Health Programming at New Persona.

Within corporate social responsibility comes employee wellness. A strategy that serves to support the health and wellbeing of employees; with the end goal being that productivity will be increased as employee sickness is reduced and they are content, energetic and motivated.

Profitability

The success of a corporate wellness program comes down to the strategy and its delivery. There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach and it will need to be underpinned with commitment and leadership – this isn’t a quick fix, it’s a new company policy you are implanting. It will also be an education to many of the team, even a change in lifestyle. To ensure the program is embraced by all involved, the benefits should be clearly explained. Now is the time to be transparent, discuss the benefits to the business along with those to the employees.

Currently, the average employee takes 6.4 sick days each year, this is an increase from 2012 when the number sat at 5.3 days. Many companies have decided to adopt a rather out dated, even draconian ‘3 strikes’ agenda. Clearly this is not having the desired affected and if anything, is counter active, because absenteeism is still costing UK businesses in excess of £16,000 each month.

This adds up to almost £200,000 annually, making a case for an intervention that presents itself in a preventative manner. Making an investment in a long term solution that will enable employers to pro-actively reduce employee’s ill health is said to provide a ROI of £4.17 of every £1 spent. This provides a future proof, innovative way to become more profitable than your competitors who are focusing purely on sales methods.

Attracting Talent

Advancements in technology mean that the traditional office is giving way to remote working. People are designing lives that they don’t have to take vacations from, in the quest for the ultimate work/life balance. Corporate wellness programs can support employees in this pursuit by integrating a ‘life’ aspect into the working environment, and the benefits will be felt outside its boundaries.

The modern workforce is becoming saturated with millennials, and they are looking for a career with a business that can offer them more than just a monthly pay cheque. Working for a business that shows a genuine concern for your wellbeing is without doubt, a desirable option. A workplace wellness program with exhibit an authentic display of ‘care’ by enabling your employees to become healthier, fitter and stronger that improve both physical and mental qualities.

Corporate Wellness will give you the competitive advantage when the time comes to delve into the talent pool.

Productivity

FitBit have previously reported that those companies who have implemented corporate wellness programs have seen productivity levels rise by as much as 8%. While other studies have reported that the programs saw employee absenteeism decrease by a maximum of 25%. We spend 11 years of our lives working; it is such a large part of our lives that it provides a substantial opportunity to positively influence behaviours and provide fresh perspective.

Many corporate wellness programs incentivise employees to reach and maintain a set level of exercise through incentives; Exercising to achieve a pre-determined goal is a demonstration of performance that can also be taken into the work environment. Consistent exercise can contribute to output on a number of levels; the release of endorphins makes us feel happy and content, confidence is increased and stress levels are reduced, all leading to a positive mental state and higher rate of productivity.

Eating well can also have a profound effect on both our physical and mental state; numerous studies into the effects of sugary junk food show themselves as peak and troughs of energy throughout the day, by offering nutritious snacks you may be a consistent level of energy and stamina throughout the day, and better concentration leads of a higher quality of work.

Marc Robinson, Director of Cardiff Sports Nutrition sheds some light, “Actively striving to achieve or maintain a good level of health and fitness can benefit our efforts to study in a number of ways; a healthy diet that is rich in vitamin and minerals from a varied diet as well as high quality multi vitamins improve the body’s immune system – less illness means that productivity levels will not be decreased, giving you an advantage over other students who are spending time recovering from illness, particularly as the cold weather draws in”, he continues, “Cognitive function and brain power can be greatly influenced by the diet, essential dietary fats are for the normal functioning of human body cells, particularly in the brain. Brain tissues deprived of essential fats have been shown to suffer significant impairment of learning and memory capabilities. This means a diet low in fat could negatively impact your workplace performance. Supplements such as fish oils, omega 3s, and coconut oil or nut butters are a great way to easily get extra fats in your diet.”

The leaders within a business should recognise the cohesive entity that a corporate wellness program is, to function to its fullest capacity it should be embedded seamlessly into the company’s infrastructure seamlessly – this isn’t a band aid fix, this is a long term vision that could result in a motivated, content and engaged workforce and a profitable, highly respected business.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Rebecca Moore .