It happens at this time of year: As the holidays approach and flu season sets in, employees start to look a little less rested, call in sick, don’t have their usual motivation because their bodies are being pushed too hard by illness and stress. As an employer, you want those who work for you to always do their best, staying on top of everything and getting the most out of each day. Too many employers overlook the importance of helping their employees stay well, and those who promote wellness at their places of business tend to have happier, healthier, more productive, and more loyal employees.
- Get people motivated. A little friendly competition often helps in this regard. Consider offering a weight-loss contest that encourages employees to team up and lose together, offering some sort of prize at the end. This helps employees gain both extrinsic and intrinsic rewards, and it fosters a community of healthy habits. Teams can both support each other and try to do better than their co-workers. And if you bring in resources to help them do the contest safely and successfully, you’re supporting their efforts in the best way possible.
- Remember “wellness” isn’t just physical. Wellness includes emotional and mental components, so don’t focus solely on the physical. If you see employees getting bogged down in the stress of a giant project, consider having a “mental health day” where you give them an unexpected day off, bring in lunch and have a movie afternoon, or bring in a few office masseuses every so often. And it helps to simply check in and make sure employees have what they need to do their work successfully — a good sit-down may open your eyes to new ideas of how to streamline a process or the fact that employees do have a need you’re not meeting.
- Make the office wellness-friendly. If possible, don’t force a strict formal dress code for employees — it’s not easy to take that lunchtime walk in a suit and dress shoes. You don’t have to go to the other extreme and let everyone wear jeans and T-shirts if you want to remain professional, but comfortable employees tend to get more done. Keep the kitchen and cafeteria clear of junk and fast food and offer healthy options on a regular basis. Encourage employees to take half an hour of downtime to relax if they need it, knowing they’ll come back refreshed and ready to work.
When you create a company that not only recognizes the need for wellness, but makes it a regular part of the culture, you’ll reap the benefits as employees come in feeling good and ready to work. Make the necessary changes to boost wellness and improve your overall workforce. To find the next great member of your workforce, contact PrideStaff.
