Employee wellness is more than just a perk or a benefit. It's a strategic way to attract and retain top talent in a competitive market. In this article, you'll learn how to use employee wellness to showcase your company culture, align with your employees' values, and support their well-being and performance.
Employee wellness is the holistic approach to promoting the physical, mental, and emotional health of your employees. It can include programs, policies, and practices that address various aspects of wellness, such as fitness, nutrition, stress management, mental health, financial literacy, social connection, and more. Employee wellness can also encompass the work environment, culture, and values that foster a positive and supportive atmosphere for your employees.
Employee wellness as correctly mentioned here is the holistic approach to promote well-being . Consider this as a 360 degree well-being as all aspects of human life must be considered under employee well-being . While some personal aspects of an individual are not in the hands of the employer but as the majority of the time is spent working in office , a lot of areas can be improvised and worked upon. Seeking help is not easy but when it’s available a lot of people might get helped .
Employee wellness is important for attracting talent because it signals that your company cares about its people and their well-being. It also shows that your company recognizes the link between wellness and performance, and that you are willing to invest in your employees' growth and development. Employee wellness can help you stand out from your competitors and attract candidates who share your vision and values. According to a survey by Virgin Pulse, 87% of employees consider health and wellness offerings when choosing an employer.
Definitely an employee will consider holistic well-being and preventive well-being more than just simply getting covered under an insurance plan. When an organisation offers benefits like gym classes , consultation benefits , hobbies or a mental well-being program an individual would know that the organisation cares for their well-being. Women well-being initiatives are also a differentiator for a company to stand out.
Comprehensive Employee wellness programs project an organisation’s ability to take care of the talent that gets hired. Effective usage of wellness strategies, lead to increased awareness of individual health status and promote employees to take necessary steps to take care of their health and Wellbeing holistically. This not only improves performance but also boosts employee morale and subsequent retention.
To design a wellness program that appeals to talent, you need to consider the needs, preferences, and goals of your target audience. Begin by surveying or holding focus groups to understand what employees and potential candidates value and expect from a wellness program. Additionally, benchmark your program against industry standards and best practices to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement. Some essential elements of a successful wellness program are customization, incentives, engagement, and evaluation. Customization should offer a range of options to suit different lifestyles, interests, and needs. Incentives should provide rewards and recognition for participation and achievement such as discounts, prizes, badges, or recognition. Engagement should create a culture of wellness that encourages communication, feedback, and collaboration among employees, managers, and leaders. Lastly, evaluation should measure the impact and outcomes of your wellness program such as satisfaction, retention, productivity, health, and morale.
Designing a wellness program involves critical analysis and consideration of a lot of factors. An organisation will have population of all ages , castes and creeds , and it’s a huge sample for a research work . Individuals working might be similar in qualifications but different in their skills and interests . Some of the important key points I’m designing should be - Consideration of Age groups , demography and their genetics. Health risk assessment are important tool. Survey on their interests More focus on Mental health and Physical health Programs involving creative development Reward & Recognition for well-being participations
To communicate your wellness program to talent, you need to use different channels and strategies to reach and persuade your audience. You can use your website, social media, blog, newsletter, or podcast to showcase your wellness program and its benefits. You can also use testimonials, stories, or case studies to highlight the success and impact of your wellness program on your employees and your company. Additionally, you can leverage your current employees as wellness ambassadors who can share their experiences and insights with potential candidates.
Some ways to get started HR portals HR portals / internal portals using mood meters / capturing important events etc Sharing of motivational stories - transformational stories / fighting a disease Wellness letters Health tips Social media channels
Your employee value proposition (EVP) is the combination of benefits and rewards that you offer to your employees in exchange for their contribution and commitment. It defines what makes your company a great place to work and sets it apart from other employers. Integrating wellness into your EVP can help you attract and retain talent who are looking for more than just a paycheck. To do so, you should align your wellness program with your company mission, vision, and values, highlighting it as a key differentiator and competitive advantage. Additionally, showcase your wellness program as part of your overall compensation and benefits package, demonstrating how it supports employees' career development and personal growth.
Creativity is a learnt skill, which is activated when traditional thinking is bypassed and the imagination is allowed to wander freely. Giving more opportunities to develop skills is of core importance for an employer and employee.