Company Wellness Program
A company wellness program is set up in the workplace to offer employees a kind of comprehensive health service. The essence of a company wellness program is to encourage employees to adopt healthier lifestyles and to take measures aimed at preventing the worsening or onset of illnesses.
There are various types of company wellness programs and each one may employ different tools and wellness initiatives to encourage active participation from its staff. A company wellness program may range from a wellness newsletter to a multi-gym set up at the site.
Even the most basic company wellness programs consisting of simple health-based activities have proven to be beneficial in the company by way of increased productivity and reduced medical costs for healthier employees. Employers are increasingly incorporating company wellness programs as part of their overall strategy for promoting a healthier workplace
Company wellness programs are an investment in the company’s most valuable asset, its employees. It benefits both the employee as well as for the employer. It is well known that healthy employees are happy employees. Employees tend to perform well and stay loyal to a company that values them as individuals and takes an active interest in their personal health.
Company wellness programs increase company productivity by attracting the most talented workers who see the health benefits as an attractive perk, reducing absenteeism and lost time by having healthier and happier employees, and improving employee morale, which leads to a reduction in turnover.
In addition to increasing productivity, company wellness programs benefit the company by reducing employee health care expenses. Making healthier lifestyle choices increases the employee’s chances of averting major diseases or illnesses.
Improved health and lesser incidence of disease mean that employers can reduce the use of health plans, which in turn lowers the cost of health benefits, adding to the profits of the company. While productivity gains are more evident than medical cost savings brought about by company wellness programs, the latter is nonetheless equally important.
Studies demonstrate that employees who are medically high-risk result in greater expense to the company as they generate claim costs that are higher and utilize more health care.
Careful planning and a well-designed company wellness program based on employee needs can lead to healthier employees, increased productivity, reduced absenteeism, reduced health care costs and boost the morale of the employees.