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Holiday Workplace Wellness Ideas: Boosting Morale and Health During the Festive Season

November 22, 2024/in Health and Wellness, Workplace Wellness/by admin

As the holiday season approaches, workplaces often experience a mix of cheer, excitement, and sometimes stress. For many employees, the end of the year brings a flurry of work deadlines, holiday obligations, and increased financial and personal pressures. This is why holiday workplace wellness initiatives are so valuable. A focus on health and well-being not only boosts morale and keeps spirits high but also helps employees stay productive and engaged through the season.

Here are some effective, festive, and thoughtful ideas to promote wellness in the workplace during the holidays.

1. Create a Festive (and Healthy!) Snack Bar

Holiday treats are inevitable, but adding healthy options can balance indulgence with well-being. A festive snack bar stocked with nourishing options provides a boost of energy while encouraging healthy choices.

Consider including:

Fresh fruits, such as clementines, apples, and berries, for a seasonal touch.
Mixed nuts and dried fruit, packed with nutrients.
Dark chocolate and whole-grain crackers for treats that are indulgent yet healthier than standard fare.
Hydration stations with infused water (like lemon-mint or berry-cucumber) to encourage water intake.

Allow employees to indulge mindfully while keeping wellness in focus.

2. Host a Holiday-Themed Group Exercise Challenge

Staying active during the holidays can be challenging, so creating an engaging group exercise challenge can help. Encourage employees to join a team or work individually to accumulate exercise minutes throughout the season.

Ideas for this wellness challenge include:

Setting a group goal, such as logging a certain number of minutes collectively.
Offering festive prizes like branded water bottles, holiday-themed fitness gear, or yoga mats.
Incorporating holiday-themed exercise classes, such as a “Jingle Jog” walkathon or virtual dance classes with seasonal music.

This can keep employees motivated to move, even when holiday schedules are busy.

3. Organize a “Holiday De-Stress Day”

Holiday stress can take a toll on both mental and physical health, so providing a dedicated day for de-stressing activities can be a valuable morale booster. Consider bringing in wellness services for employees, such as:

Mini Massage Sessions: Hire a massage therapist to provide brief chair massages that can help relieve tension.
Meditation or Yoga Class: Offer a guided meditation or yoga session that encourages relaxation and mindfulness.
Stress Management Workshop: Invite a wellness coach or mental health expert to provide practical tips for managing holiday stress.

These activities can help employees recharge, stay centered, and face the holiday season with more resilience.

4. Promote Gratitude and Giving

Encouraging gratitude and giving can have a powerful positive effect on employee morale and well-being. This season, try incorporating some of these ideas:

Gratitude Wall: Create a “gratitude wall” in a common area where employees can leave notes of appreciation for coworkers or reflect on things they’re thankful for. This simple practice can uplift spirits and foster connection.
Holiday Giving Drive: Host a donation drive for a local charity, food bank, or toy collection. Allow employees to contribute money, goods, or time as they’re able. Knowing their workplace is giving back can improve employee pride and purpose.
“Secret Santa” with a Twist: Instead of gifts, ask employees to write anonymous notes of encouragement or appreciation for one another. These words of kindness can provide a boost of motivation and warmth that lasts beyond the holidays.

5. Offer Flexible Scheduling and Extra Time Off

The holidays can be busy for everyone, and offering flexibility can significantly reduce stress. Consider these options to support employee wellness:

Work-from-Home Days: Allowing employees to work from home for a few days can be a huge relief, particularly during holiday travel or personal planning.
Half-Day Fridays: If possible, offer half-day Fridays leading up to the holidays. This allows employees to finish work early and take care of holiday preparations or simply unwind.
Flexible Hours: Letting employees adjust their work hours can help them balance both personal and professional responsibilities, creating a supportive and compassionate workplace environment.

These small adjustments show respect for employees’ time and help them better manage the holiday season.

6. Host a Wellness Raffle or Giveaway

A fun and inclusive way to encourage wellness is by organizing a holiday wellness raffle or giveaway. Offer prizes that support health and well-being, such as:

Gym memberships or passes to a local fitness studio.
Healthy meal delivery subscriptions.
Relaxation gift baskets, including items like herbal teas, cozy blankets, and essential oils.
Gift cards for self-care items, such as massages, wellness books, or fitness gear.

Encourage participation by entering employees into the raffle when they join wellness events, log exercise minutes, or participate in holiday activities. This simple initiative can inspire wellness in a playful way.

7. Provide Resources for Mental Health and Stress Management

The holidays can be emotionally challenging, so offering mental health support is essential. Consider sharing resources such as:

Guided meditation apps: Provide free or discounted access to apps like Calm or Headspace.
Mental health webinars or workshops: These can focus on resilience, managing holiday stress, or coping with seasonal depression.
Access to counseling services: Remind employees of any Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offerings, and make sure they know they have access to mental health support.

When employees feel supported in their mental well-being, they’re better able to navigate both the holiday season and workplace demands.

8. Host Virtual or In-Person Social Events with a Wellness Twist

Social gatherings are a great way to build team bonds and encourage community, but they don’t have to be overly indulgent or centered around heavy foods and drinks. Here are some wellness-friendly alternatives for holiday gatherings:

Virtual Holiday Cooking Class: Invite a nutritionist or chef to lead a virtual class where employees can learn to make healthy holiday treats or nutritious meals.
Outdoor Holiday Walk or Nature Outing: Encourage team bonding by organizing an outdoor group walk, hike, or visit to a holiday light display.
Holiday-Themed Trivia or Yoga: Host a themed trivia event or a gentle yoga session. Both can bring employees together, spark laughter, and support well-being without the pressure of traditional holiday gatherings.

These activities offer fun, low-key opportunities for connection, which can be particularly meaningful during a time that can feel busy and overwhelming.

Holiday workplace wellness initiatives don’t have to be complicated to make a positive impact. From festive snack bars and group exercise challenges to de-stress days and flexible scheduling, there are numerous ways to help employees feel valued, healthy, and connected. By focusing on wellness and supporting employees’ mental, physical, and emotional health, your workplace can make the holidays brighter for everyone.

Thanksgiving Safety and Wellness Ideas for the Workplace

October 18, 2024/in Health and Wellness, Risk Management/by admin

As Thanksgiving approaches, the holiday spirit often spills into the workplace, bringing opportunities for connection, celebration, and gratitude. However, workplace safety and wellness can be easily overlooked amidst the festivities. With a little planning, employers and employees can celebrate Thanksgiving while prioritizing safety and well-being. Here are some key ideas to help your workplace enjoy a happy, healthy, and safe Thanksgiving season.

1. Promote Healthy Eating Habits

Workplace celebrations often involve food, and Thanksgiving is no exception. Potlucks and shared meals are common, but they can also lead to overeating or unhealthy choices. To promote wellness during Thanksgiving celebrations, consider these ideas:

Healthy Potluck Options: Encourage employees to bring healthier versions of Thanksgiving favorites. Dishes made with whole grains, lean proteins, and seasonal vegetables can still be delicious and satisfying. You might even organize a “healthy recipe swap” where employees can share their favorite nutritious holiday dishes.
Mindful Eating Tips: Offer guidance on how to enjoy food mindfully. Encourage employees to savor each bite, avoid overeating, and balance indulgent dishes with lighter options. A simple tip sheet or email reminder on portion control and making nutritious choices can go a long way in promoting wellness.
Hydration Stations: With the abundance of rich food, staying hydrated is important. Set up hydration stations with water, herbal teas, or fruit-infused water to encourage employees to drink water throughout the day, especially if there’s alcohol at after-work events.

2. Encourage Physical Activity

People tend to be more sedentary during the holiday season, so it’s crucial to keep moving, even at work. Physical activity can boost energy, improve mood, and counterbalance holiday indulgences. Here are some ideas to incorporate movement into the Thanksgiving season at work:

Walking Challenges: Organize a Thanksgiving-themed walking challenge in the weeks before the holiday. Employees can track their steps and compete for small prizes, such as a healthy snack basket or a day off. It’s a great way to foster teamwork and encourage movement.
Thanksgiving Turkey Trot: Host a mini “Turkey Trot” fun run or walk during lunch breaks. This can be done outdoors if the weather permits or indoors with a set distance. It’s a fun way to get people moving and engaged in the holiday spirit while promoting fitness.
Stretch Breaks: Encourage stretch breaks throughout the day. You can even lead employees in a brief yoga or stretching session before or after a Thanksgiving feast to help reduce stress and improve posture, especially for those who spend long hours sitting at a desk.

3. Emphasize Mental Wellness

Thanksgiving can be a time of joy but can also bring stress, particularly with deadlines, family obligations, and holiday preparations. Creating a supportive environment that prioritizes mental wellness can help employees manage holiday stress:

Gratitude Wall: Promote an attitude of gratitude by creating a workplace “Gratitude Wall” where employees can share what they are thankful for. This simple activity can improve morale, foster a sense of community, and boost mental wellness by encouraging positive thinking.
Offer Flexible Scheduling: The holiday season can be hectic, and employees may need more flexibility to balance work and family commitments. Where possible, allow for flexible hours or remote work options to reduce stress and increase work-life balance.
Mindfulness Workshops: Offer a brief mindfulness or stress management workshop leading to Thanksgiving. Teaching employees how to practice mindfulness, deep breathing, or simple meditation can help them cope with the demands of the holiday season while maintaining their mental wellness.

4. Maintain Workplace Safety During Holiday Decorations

Decorating the workplace is a fun way to get into the holiday spirit, but it’s essential to prioritize safety. Keep these safety tips in mind when preparing your workplace for Thanksgiving:

Safe Decorations: Avoid using decorations that pose a fire hazard, such as candles or lights that may overheat. Instead, opt for flameless candles or battery-operated string lights. Ensure that decorations are securely fastened and won’t obstruct walkways or emergency exits.
Electrical Safety: When decorating with lights or electronics, be mindful of electrical safety. Avoid overloading electrical outlets and ensure that cords are in good condition. Tape down any cords that may create a tripping hazard.
Kitchen Safety: If your workplace has a communal kitchen, ensure it’s safe and clean during Thanksgiving events. Remind employees to handle food safely, follow proper cooking procedures, and keep hot items away from the edges of tables or counters to prevent accidents.

5. Celebrate Safely in the Workplace

Thanksgiving celebrations can be a great way to build camaraderie, but they should always prioritize employee safety. If your workplace is hosting a Thanksgiving event, consider these tips:

Limit Alcohol Consumption: If your workplace event includes alcohol, consider limiting the amount served or offering it only during the final hours of the celebration. Provide non-alcoholic beverages and encourage responsible drinking, especially if employees need to drive home.
Safe Food Handling: Ensure food is handled safely to prevent foodborne illnesses. Provide proper cooking, storing, and reheating guidelines, and encourage employees to wash their hands frequently when preparing or serving food.
COVID-19 Considerations: If your workplace is still navigating COVID-19 protocols, ensure that safety guidelines are followed. This may include encouraging social distancing, wearing masks when necessary, and providing hand sanitizers at key locations.

Thanksgiving at the workplace can be a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the year, foster community, and celebrate safely. By promoting healthy eating habits, encouraging physical activity, emphasizing mental wellness, and ensuring safety with decorations and events, employers can create a balanced and enjoyable Thanksgiving experience for everyone. Remember, a little planning goes a long way in ensuring the workplace remains safe and healthy during the holiday season. Here’s to a happy, healthy, and safe Thanksgiving at work!

Five Ways to Support Your Employees’ Mental Health

April 24, 2024/in Health and Wellness, Workplace Wellness/by admin

Mental health is paramount to individual wellness.

Each year, one in five U.S. adults experiences mental illness, with only one in three seeking the help they need. Mental health struggles often present in the workplace as increased absences, appearing distracted or withdrawn, missing deadlines, and becoming less productive. Focusing on employee mental health is important for the team and your bottom line.

According to World Health Organization (WHO) estimates, depression and anxiety cost the global economy $1 trillion per year in lost productivity. And, for every $1 spent on treating common mental health concerns, there is a return of $4 in improved health and productivity. Not surprisingly, the Society for Human Resources Management found many employers are enhancing emotional and mental health benefits, including adding programs to offer support ranging from stress management to addressing invisible disabilities such as anxiety and depression.

The connection between physical health and mental health prompted the American Heart Association’s CEO Roundtable to release a report called “Mental Health: A Workforce Crisis.” The report found that “the cost of doing nothing is higher than investing in evidence-based prevention and treatment,” so employers are urged to provide comprehensive programs for preventing and treating mental illness.

Benefits of supporting employee mental health:

Decreased health care and disability costs
Increased retention
Increased productivity

Ways companies can support employee mental health:

1. Understand how mental health impacts your employees.

Here are some proactive steps you can take to understand and assess your employees’ mental health:

Offer mandatory mental health training for company leaders to help them be more aware of and invested in this aspect of their employees’ well-being.
Train managers on what to do if they see signs of emotional distress or substance abuse.
Use mental health calculators to estimate the prevalence and associated costs of untreated depression and alcohol and substance abuse at your workplace.
Consider using surveys such as the Work Limitations Questionnaire and the Brief Job Stress Questionnaire to measure how your employees’ health and stress levels affect their productivity.

2. Include mental health coverage as part of your health care plan.

The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act requires insurance coverage for mental health conditions (including substance use disorders) to be no more restrictive than insurance coverage for other medical conditions.
Avoid plans that offer “phantom” mental health coverage
Provide easily accessible lists of local psychologists and psychiatrists who are in-network
Provide health savings accounts (HSA) to help offset out-of-pocket costs

3. Establish an employee assistance program (EAP).

To encourage employees to use an EAP, your company can:

Provide direct access to mental health professionals via phone and/or in person
Offer resources to employees and their immediate family members
Provide easy access mental health resources and mental health care providers
Emphasize that EAPs can be accessed confidentially and free of charge

4. Reduce the stigma and increase access to mental health resources.

Promote mental health benefits and offer mental health resources year-round
Ensure executives mention emotional well-being whenever they talk about recruiting talent
Building an inclusive culture that helps employees bring their best selves to work
Offer workshops so employees can learn more about mental health and resilience

5. Promote well-being.

When possible, allow flexibility in employee scheduling
Offer access to apps that can help with sleep and stress reduction
Consider offering in-office opportunities for meditation, mindfulness training, and/or yoga classes
Encourage employees to use their vacation time
Provide accommodations and develop a return-to-work process so that employees who need to take a leave of absence because of a mental health issue feel supported when they return
Create opportunities for employees to build connections with each other, such as through social events, affinity groups, and electronic message boards.

Spring Clean Your Workplace

April 3, 2024/in Health and Wellness, Risk Management, Workplace Wellness/by admin

The start of a new season is a great time to audit your workplace and ensure it’s safe and clean. Here are some spring cleaning and safety tips to reduce clutter, disinfect, safety test, and review your emergency preparedness plans.

Reduce Clutter and Disinfect

After the busy holiday season and inevitable frantic first quarter of the year, your workspaces and storage areas have likely been neglected. As clutter collects dust, which causes allergies, and is mentally distracting for many, now is a great time to clean, organize, and prepare for spring and beyond.

Pay particular attention to storage areas, warehousing spaces, and common areas. Remove any trash, update signage, organize, and deep clean as you go. Also, encourage employees to clean their spaces by providing ample cleaning supplies, trash disposal areas, and organizational tools.

Restock Supplies

Check your workplace storage to ensure your supplies are fully stocked. Pay particular attention to your cleaning supplies, office supplies, and paper goods.

Focus on Clean Air

Allergens spike in the spring, causing more itchy eyes, runny noses, and sneezes. To help clean the air, replace your HVAC air filters and clean all vents. You may also reduce the allergens caused by dirt, pollen, and dander, by running air purifiers and vacuuming and dusting more regularly.

Tidy Common Areas

Common areas tend to accumulate a lot of waste and discarded items. Take time to clean and organize your break rooms, staging areas, entrances, and exits.

Test Safety Equipment

Test smoke, fire, and carbon monoxide alarms to ensure they work properly. Its also a good time to replace any batteries. Check any fire extinguishers to confirm they are easily accessible and in date.

Review Emergency Plans

Having a safety plan for a natural disaster, pandemic, or other emergency is both responsible and necessary. Make sure you have a solid plan for building escapes, ideally one that includes two different routes from all major work areas. Be sure to make alternative plans for anyone with a disability and establish a meeting point safe from your building. Once your plans are established, be sure to communicate them with your teams and confirm everyone understands what to do.

Make an Emergency Preparedness Kit

Though hopefully you will never need it, it’s prudent to maintain emergency preparedness kits. Ensure that both first aid kit contents and batteries, water, and blankets are included.

Have a happy, health, risk-free season!

28 Workplace Wellness Activities to Drive Engagement

August 1, 2023/in Workplace Wellness/by admin

Prioritizing employee health and driving engagement are critical to the success of a company. Virtually everyone benefits from having healthy employees and one of the best ways to encourage individual health and promote engagement is by offering wellness programs that focus on all aspects of wellness.

By offering wellness activities, employers can give people opportunities to engage in physical, mental, emotional, etc. activities to create healthy behavioral habits. To obtain the highest levels of participation, it’s important to offer a wide variety of activities that appeal to everyone, so get creative!

Here are some workplace wellness activity ideas you can offer both in office and remote employees:

Home Based Activities
At home activities make it easy for employees to engage in wellness in the comfort of their own home. Offering practical, well-rounded activities employees can do from anywhere aids in reducing stress levels which helps increase morale in the office. Some wellness activity ideas include:

Meditate for 5-10 minutes
Cook healthy recipes
Clean areas around the house
Neighborhood walks
Participating in virtual bodyweight fitness classes
Go to bed 30 minutes earlier than usual
Listening to a podcast

Activities for Remote Employees
For many people, working from home has its ups and downs. Most times, employees enjoy being in the comfort of their own home and being able to work freely. However, constantly being at home can drive stress as it limits the amount of human interaction one has each day. Here are some ideas to help remote employees improve their health and better manage stress:

Dedicate 2 meetings per week to be taken as walking meetings
Motivate people to exercise daily (walking, running, biking, etc.)
Offer nutrition advice from credible sources
Encourage mindful movement and/or meditation
Set up a weekly virtual lunch with coworkers

5 Minute Activities
Although it seems short, dedicating just 5 minutes of your day to complete a wellness activity can increase focus, improve productivity, enhance employee experience, and boost morale tremendously. Here are some quick wellness activities employees can take part in:

Drinking a glass of warm lemon water in the morning
Engage in 5 minutes of breathing exercises daily
Standing & stretching throughout the day
Call a friend
Read a nutrition/fitness/mindfulness article

Mental Wellness Activities
As an employer, providing a resource to employees that explains the importance of prioritizing their mental health is extremely beneficial for everyone. Between the stress of work and home life, people tend to push their mental wellbeing to the side. A person’s mental state can affect their entire body and how it functions. As an employer, building a culture that speaks openly about mental health betters the relationship employees have with each another. Some easy ways to promote mental health include:

Meditation, stretching, and yoga
Journaling
Gratitude lists
Reading
Prioritize getting enough sleep

Workplace Wellness Activities
The workplace is a place where business gets done, of course, but it should also foster an environment that supports employee’s wellbeing. Worksite wellness is essential to the employee experience and also attracting future talent. Here are some ideas for wellness activities / tactics any employer can use in the workplace:

Lunch & learn sessions about wellness topics like nutrition, exercise, sleep, hydration, etc.
Monthly wellness newsletters
Market local health-related events
Host monthly lunches where each employees brings a healthy snack or dish
Offer a rewards program that uses an incentive to encourage employees to take part in wellness activities
Provide standing desks

Summer Wellness Challenge Ideas

July 1, 2023/in Health and Wellness, Workplace Wellness/by admin

As we enjoy the summer sun, fresh air, and seasonal produce, it’s a great time to support employee wellness, engagement, and productivity, by encouraging healthy living!

Here are a few simple summer wellness challenges ideas to consider.

1. Nutrition Challenge Ideas

There are many benefits to healthy eating and fresh, local produce is a great source of nutrition as it’s generally free of preservatives or chemicals. Summer fruits and vegetables also contain the antioxidants and nutrients required to sustain that specific climate. For example, cucumbers, cantaloupe, and watermelon contain high water content, to help prevent dehydration, while berries, lemons, limes, avocados, apples, cherries, tomatoes, mangos, corn, and beans, are high in fiber and antioxidants.

Consider implementing nutrition wellness challenge activities to boost employee immune systems and promote healthy homemade food. Challenge ideas include hosting weekly summer potlucks with rewards for the healthiest summer dishes, creating a sustainability challenge where employees grow their produce, and /or offering coupons for local farmers markets.

2. Physical Health Challenge Ideas

With lots of opportunities for fresh air and sunshine, summer is a great time to re-invigorate your employee wellness programs with new wellness activities. Aim to keep the employees active, engaged, and healthy by creating summer-themed physical health challenges such as 30 minutes of daily summer exercise, 8K daily step count, bike to work initiatives, encouraging employees to take the stairs, and/or hosting swimming competitions or other outdoor activities where employees can compete. Bonus for implementing employee wellness challenges that are compatible with wearable devices and fitness apps, so it’s easier for employees to track and share their physical activities.

3. Emotional Wellbeing Challenge Ideas

Mental and emotional health has become increasingly important and offering employees opportunities to disconnect from daily emotional stressors can help promote healthy living and stress management. While many corporate wellness programs include mental health challenges, summer-themed options include outdoor yoga sessions, motivating talks, breathing exercises, personal coaching sessions, and hobby sessions.

4. Social Wellness Challenges Ideas

With so much to do in so little time, employees often find it difficult to maintain work-life balance. To help promote both social interactions and balanced living, employers should consider summer-themed corporate wellness challenge ideas such as coordinating volunteer opportunities, virtual or in-person learning sessions, encouraging employees to create weekly to-do lists to organize their time and days, and providing opportunities for employees to reconnect with their co-workers and others for their social, occupational, and emotional wellbeing.

5. Financial Health Challenge Ideas

During these uncertain economic times, employers can help promote personal financial health by offering employee financial wellness challenge ideas and workplace benefits packages that may include health insurance, HSAs, 401(K) plans, paid leaves, maternity/paternity leaves, student loans & scholarships, and more.

We hope you and your teams enjoy a happy healthy summer and make the most of your employee wellbeing programs!

Summer Wellness Challenge Ideas to Keep Employees Engaged

June 1, 2023/in Health and Wellness/by admin

Summer is upon us and between the new season, travel plans, and other distractions, it may be more difficult than ever to engage your employees in wellness challenges. But don’t dismay, with a little simplicity and creativity, you can launch some new wellness challenges to recharge for both the summer months and second half of the year! The key is to design challenges that represent the six dimensions of wellbeing: physical, emotional, social, occupational, financial, and purpose.

Here are six of our favorite summer wellness challenges, no matter where your employees work or live:

1. Physical Challenge: Fresh Air – Walk Outside 20 Minutes Per Day

Walking is one of the easiest and most beneficial activities you can include in your everyday life! The Fresh Air Challenge invites participants to take a walk outside for 20 minutes each day, for 30 days. A 20-minute walk is an easy, effective way to integrate exercise into a daily routine and the fresh air and sunshine also help rejuvenate the mind after being stuck indoors at a desk all day.

2. Emotional Challenge: Wire Less – Take a Break from Your Phone

While essential, our cell phones often create a constant source of stress. Anxiety-provoking news, urgent work requests, and family demands can all be delivered through our phones, interrupting, and distracting us from everyday life. The Wire Less Challenge encourages employees to disconnect for an hour a day to reconnect to themselves and the world around them.

3. Social Challenge: Care Package – Send a Care Package

The Care Package challenge encourages participants to make a connection with someone by sending a care package. Whether it’s sent to a friend or family member who lives far across the country, someone living across town, a member of the military, or a healthcare worker, sending a care package benefits both the giver and the receiver and allows the giver to take their mind off their own concerns and allow them to focus on the needs of someone else.

4. Occupational Challenge: Top Priority – Create a Daily To-Do List

No matter the time of year, there is always so much to do and never enough time. The Top Priority challenge helps participants organize their hectic days by requiring them to start each morning by creating a to-do list and prioritizing each item. To-do lists are not only simple tools for becoming more productive but also help us focus our energy and provide a sense of accomplishment.

5. Financial Challenge: Great Deal – Comparison Shop

The Great Deal Challenge invites participants to comparison shop for five things they buy in the next 30 days. This challenge is great for you financially, as it helps ensure you are getting the best price and helps take the time to evaluate the necessity of the things we purchase.

6. Purpose Challenge: Do It – Do Something You’ve Been Putting Off

The Do It Challenge challenges employees to do something they have been putting off. This is their chance to accomplish something, big or small, they’ve always thought about but never gotten to. Not only will it make them feel good about themselves, but also give them the confidence to try something else that’s new.

Rethinking Your Approach to Workplace Wellness

June 1, 2023/in Workplace Wellness/by admin

The most common reason workplace wellness programs fail is because of the generic, one-size-fits-all generic approach that assumes all employees’ health and wellness problems are the same. Rather than meeting employees where they are and engaging them with programs designed to address their personal health and wellness needs, these broadly programs do not yield desired wellness outcomes because they simply don’t address employees’ diverse physical, emotional, mental, financial, and even spiritual health needs.

Luckily, personalizing wellness is a sure way to improve employee engagement and boost health, productivity, and retention. By focusing on the individual needs and contexts of employees and streamlining your workplace wellness solutions to meet those needs, employers are better able to address the psychosocial, physical, and behavioral drivers of health and address each employee’s specific needs.

A great place to start is by bolstering your mental health offerings!

During the pandemic and the period that has followed, mental health problems have surged. From the isolation to dealing with the deaths of loved ones, pandemic anxiety, and the economic impacts of the pandemic have heightened stress and unveiled a vast array of mental health challenges.

According to a 2021 survey by the American Psychological Association, 79% of employees had experienced work-related stress amid the pandemic, including loss of interest, motivation, or energy, and lack of effort at work; 36% reported cognitive fatigue; and 44% reported physical fatigue. To shift the paradigm in 2023, it’s imperative for employers refocus on mental health and offer mental well-being programs that reshape the workplace culture around mental health.

Begin by reviewing how work affects employees. Consider measures your company can take to help mitigate stress at work and better understand employees’ workloads as they relate to their time, skills, and ability to achieve work-life balance. Also consider offering more mental health support through employee assistance programs, digital self-help tools, virtual therapy sessions, and easy access to tele-mental health care.

A recent survey by leading global advisory, Willis Towers Watson (WTW), revealed an uptrend in workplace wellness offerings, as more employers are beginning to integrate these mental health strategies into their workplace wellness offerings. Findings from the survey revealed that 67% of U.S. employers plan to make mental health and emotional well-being programs and solutions one of their top three health priorities over the next three years. By recognizing the value of mental health support in the workplace, particularly in the post-pandemic context, employers are better able to address and support employees.

Five Ways to Support Employee’s Mental Health and Wellness

May 1, 2023/in Health and Wellness, Workplace Wellness/by admin

Each year, one in five adults in the U.S. will experience mental illness, while only one in three who need help will get it. These widespread mental health challenges not only result in people missing work but also in them being less focused and productive. This is why focusing on workplace mental health is important for both your employee’s wellness and your business’ bottom line.

Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that depression and anxiety cost the economy $1 trillion per year in lost productivity. But WHO also found that for every $1 spent on treating common mental health concerns, there is a return of $4 in improved health and productivity. As such, many employers are enhancing emotional and mental health benefits to include support services ranging from managing stress to treating invisible disabilities such as anxiety and depression.

Here are five ways your company can support your employees and their mental health:

1. Understand how mental health impacts your employees.

“It’s important for managers to be trained to recognize the signs of emotional distress so they can react in a supportive rather than a punitive way,” says Jerome Schultz, PhD, a clinical neuropsychologist and a lecturer at Harvard Medical School. “Some employees need people around them to say, ‘Hey, I see you might be feeling stressed. Maybe now is a good time to try some breathing exercises or go take a walk.’”

Proactive steps employers can take include:

Mandating mental health training for company leaders to ensure they are able to support employee wellbeing
Training managers on how to identify and respond to signs of emotional distress or substance abuse
Consider using surveys such as the Work Limitations Questionnaire and the Brief Job Stress Questionnaire to gauge how employees’ health and stress levels impact

2. Expand health care plan options to include mental health coverage.

The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act requires insurance coverage for mental health conditions (including substance use disorders) to be no more restrictive than insurance coverage for other medical conditions. Encourage employees to identify psychologists and psychiatrists who are in-network and consider providing a health savings account (HSA) option to help employees offset out-of-pocket mental health care costs.

3. Establish an employee assistance program (EAP).

Employee assistance programs (EAPs) are a great way to support workplace mental health. While some employees may be reluctant to use this resource due to fear of stigma, shame, and lack of understanding about how these confidential programs work, employers can alleviate this through educating employees on how to utilize their EAP. A great way to do this is by distributing a monthly mental health newsletter.

According to Fernán Cepero, YMCA of Greater Rochester’s senior human resources business partner, “The newsletter reminds employees these benefits are available to you. It’s paid for you. It’s there for you. Use it as much as you want. Employees know ‘I can call to work out a plan. I can get assistance I need now rather than waiting for a crisis. I can get help before I even have to use my insurance.’”

Employers can encourage employees to use an EAP by:

Providing direct access to mental health professionals via phone and/or in-person
Offering this resource to employees and their immediate family members
Simplifying how employees gain access to mental health resources
Emphasizing that EAPs can be accessed confidentially, free of charge

4. Leverage communication to reduce stigma and increase access to mental health resources.

While many employers opt for waiting until open enrollment to share mental health benefits and community resources, it’s best to do so on a regular basis. Encourage business leaders and executives to discuss well-being when talking about talent recruitment and building an inclusive culture. Employers may also consider offering workshops so employees can learn more about mental health and resilience.

5. Promote well-being throughout the year.

Some simple ways to promote well-being include:

Building as much flexibility as possible into all employees’ schedules
Offering access to apps that can help with sleep and stress reduction
Creating a meditation room on-site
Offering mindfulness training and/or yoga classes on-site
Encouraging employees to use their vacation time (by limiting the amount of vacation employees can roll over into the next year)
Providing accommodations and return-to-work processes for employees who need to take a leave of absence because of a mental health issue so they feel supported when they return
Creating opportunities for employees to build connections with each other (through social events, affinity groups, and/or message boards)

Six Employee Wellness Program Ideas to Implement Today

April 4, 2023/in Health and Wellness, Workplace Wellness/by admin

There’s no better time to spring into health. And there’s no better way to encourage employees to do the same than launching new wellness programs.

Here are six employee wellness initiatives to implement today!

1. Provide healthy meals or snack options

As many spend the majority of their daily lives at their places of work, providing healthy meals or snacks gives employees easy access to nutritious foods and makes it easier for them to maintain a healthy diet. While this can be an expensive perk to offer, it may help employees to feel more energized, focused, productive, and happy. It can also encourage employees to be in the office and encourage more conversations in the common areas.

Some healthy food subscription options to look into: Hungry Root, SnackNation, Garten. Employers can also help manage costs by providing snacks on certain days of the month.

2. Encourage personal time off and self-care

To be productive, people not only need a healthy amount of rest and relaxation, but also the flexibility to rest and relax when they need to. While it may not be possible to accommodate all self-care needs during normal working hours, allowing employees to rest when they say they need to benefits your organization in the long run.

Employers encourage their employees to take care of themselves, even when it may not be ideal for the business’ immediate needs, show they genuinely care about the wellbeing of their employees. And employees who feel cared for are more committed to their companies and ultimately more productive. Making this a win-win.

3. Provide mental healthcare support and resources

Though mental health can be difficult to navigate, as not everyone is comfortable talking about it and some may be afraid that talking about mental health may lead to crossing professional boundaries, the truth is that mental health needs to be acknowledged, maintained, and treated for improvement to be made. Life can feel overwhelming at times and providing mental health support and resources for employees can help them navigate these struggles and enable them to show up to work as their best selves.

Studies show that the global economy loses an estimated one trillion dollars per year due to lost productivity as a result of neglecting mental health needs. Many mental health platforms and online services are available to help employers better support, and prioritize, their employees mental health. These include:

4. Offer reimbursements for health and wellness expenses

Reimbursements are one of the most popular health and wellness benefits employers tend to offer. Most commonly, companies will reimburse employees for gym memberships or fitness classes. However, as more health and wellness products and services become available, many companies are looking to expand their reimbursement offerings. Some of these include offering reimbursements for meal subscription plans, fitness equipment and app subscriptions such as Headspace and ClassPass.

5. Encourage team-bonding in and outside of the office

The more your team gets to know one another, not only do relationships among coworkers become stronger, but also communication enhances, brainstorming and idea-sharing happens more frequently, and daily workflow becomes more efficient.

To help build relationships in the workplace, consider implementing weekly team lunches. Most people don’t like to chat while working, so facilitating weekly team lunches gives employees the opportunity to engage in casual conversation and get to know each other better. To help encourage relationships outside of the office, consider implementing quarterly team outings and events. This can encourage employees to build stronger bonds and friendships over non-work related topics and conversation.

6. Offer Wellness Incentives

Research shows that one of the best and most effective ways to get people engaged and stay motivated to participate in your corporate wellness program is to offer incentives. Incentives can fall under a variety of categories:

Cost Incentives	Example: Cash rewards, gift cards, reimbursements
Low or No-Cost Incentives	Example: Paid time off, extended breaks
Progress-based Incentives	Best for increasing and maintaining participation. Employees can earn multiple incentives throughout the program. Increasing the size/value of the incentives as the program continues is an additional way to motivate your team to participate
Participation-based Incentives	This type of Incentive can be given to anyone who participates in the program. Because of its non-competitive nature, this type of incentive is best for increasing camaraderie and cohesiveness among employees
Performance-based Incentives	This type of incentive can be given as employees reach certain goals or milestones in your program. If you have a team of highly-competitive people, this type of incentive is an effective way to ensure high participation rates
Results-based Incentives	This type of incentive is typically given at the end of a program to employees who reach an overall goal

The most common type of incentive is monetary and often includes:

Cash rewards given directly to employees as bonuses.
Reimbursements for classes, memberships, subscriptions, equipment purchased by employees, etc.
Money deposited into an Health Spending Account (HSA) – which we’ll talk more about later in this article.

Other incentives may include:

Material gifts (i.e. apparel, appliances, tech, equipment, etc.)
Gift cards
Company events
Free meals/lunches
Free subscriptions or memberships
Paid Time Off (PTO)
Extended or additional breaks

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