The Next Big Thing In Health and Safety: Health and Wellbeing at Work
What is health and wellbeing at work?
Most companies that are implementing health and wellbeing at work programs consider only one of its elements: physical health. This approach is better than nothing, but organisations are missing many more benefits brought by the other components of workplace wellness. Before revealing the most important benefits of having a complete employee wellness program, let’s see all its elements.
The physical wellness
As its name implies, this component refers to the wellbeing of the physical body that can be assured through exercising, healthy eating and preventive healthcare. Here, the companies can support their employees’ physical wellness by offering biometric screenings, flu shots, nutrition courses, healthy snacks and even a place to work out in the office.
The social wellness
When promoting health and wellbeing at work, your employees feel socially connected with their colleagues; they’ll be more productive and find it easier to work in teams. Work celebrations, book clubs, games evenings, team outings and activities are a few ideas on ensuring social wellness in your company.
The financial wellness
It’s not new news that financial worries can affect the mental wellbeing of new people, and companies might say that it’s not their concern that their employees have financial issues, but it is, indirectly. Financial stress can greatly influence the performance of any person, and that’s why it’s recommended that organisations help their staff by providing financial education and even financial resources and support.
The emotional wellness
Last but surely not least, the emotional wellness component refers to supporting your employees in achieving a healthy mental state and wellbeing. This can be done through stress management programs, meditation and breathing classes, and, more importantly, mental health and wellbeing at work training. Here you can find more details of the mental health course we provide.
Why should companies be promoting health and wellbeing at work?
- Greater Productivity – When your employees are physically healthy, love the social environment they work in, don’t worry about money and are not stressed, they will surely be more productive and less exposed to accidents.
- Reduced Costs – Having healthy employees has both direct and indirect financial benefits and can massively reduce healthcare costs for your organisation.
- Increased Presentism – Optum’s 10th annual Wellness in the Workplace study shows that 79% of employers say they offer wellness programs to improve presentism.
- Business Growth – Last but now least, having a complete ‘health and wellbeing at work’ program implemented in your company will indirectly drive business growth through the employees that will feel physically able and mentally and emotionally motivated to strive at their jobs.