Corporate Wellness

People who have good work-life balance show up more dedicated to their craft and stay with companies longer, 

 

Think back to when you worked for someone else. Didn't you want to be valued, didn't you want to be seen for your gifts and talents?

Do you want to retain your employees for a very long time? and don't you want them to be healthy, vibrant and work to their fullest every day?

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Highly engaged teams show 21% greater profitability

This finding by Gallup punctuates the fact that employee engagement consists of concrete behavior, not an abstract feeling. Organizations that view engagement as a feeling conduct employee surveys and offer perks to improve the results. The report finds that the most successful organizations make employee engagement central to their business strategy. They give employees clear expectations and provide them with the tools and support to do their best work. Why are engaged teams more profitable? Those teams who score in the top 20% in engagement realize a 41% reduction in absenteeism, and 59% less turnover. Engaged employees show up every day with passion, purpose, presence, and energy.

 

 89% of HR leaders agree that ongoing peer feedback and check-ins are key for successful outcomes

A recent report on the importance of employee recognition finds clear and regular feedback to be critical. The report also stresses the importance of what it calls values-based recognition. Feedback and recognition should always tie back to a company’s core values and mission. Employees want to be reminded that their work has purpose and meaning. This is another reminder that employee engagement should not be relegated to the HR department, but instead, be featured as a central part of overall business strategy.

Disengaged employees cost U.S. companies up to $550 billion a year

An exhaustive report by The Engagement Institute—a joint study by The Conference Board, Sirota-Mercer, Deloitte, ROI, The Culture Works and Consulting LLP—underscores how important engagement is to the bottom line. Interestingly, the majority of respondents recognize why they are not fully engaged. They list compelling missions, highly trusted relationships, and well-designed jobs as things they are looking for leadership to provide. This is another reason why communication is crucial to a healthy organizational culture. Employees will tell you what they need to be engaged if you listen to them.

61% of employees are burned out on the job

CareerBuilder’s survey on stress in the workplace also finds 31% of respondents report extremely high levels of stress at work. The survey documents how those high-stress levels manifested in poor physical health (fatigue, aches and pains, weight gain) and compromised mental health (depression, anxiety, anger). These findings emphasize the connections between wellness and engagement, and how stress undermines both. The best strategies to combat the plague of burnout are holistic approaches. Workshops on stress management and resilience will lead to a workforce that is healthier, more engaged, and more productive.

89% of workers at companies that support well-being initiatives are more likely to recommend their company as a good place to work

In my consulting practice, I have seen that the critical factor in determining the success of wellness programs is the involvement and commitment of senior leadership—a fact confirmed by a report by the American Psychological Association. In organizations where employees do not view leadership as committed to their well-being, only 17% would recommend the company as a good place to work. The report stresses that employee well-being cannot be addressed through a silo program but is instead a reflection of broader culture and climate within the organization.

61% of employees agree that they have made healthier lifestyle choices because of their company’s wellness program

This is just one of many findings an Aflac summary of current benefit trends. A comprehensive and holistic wellness program will help employees change their lifestyle and make better choices, resulting in higher productivity and job satisfaction. The same report finds that Millennials, more than any other group, factor in benefits like health and wellness programs in deciding whether to take or remain in a job.

87% of employees expect their employer to support them in balancing work and personal commitments

A recent Glassdoor survey reminds us that our conception of wellness has to go beyond traditional health measures. Although the idea of work-life balance is frequently misunderstood, employees are looking for help and support in attending to the non-work areas of their life. Employers can do so by being willing to offer flexible work schedules, and by encouraging employees to utilize vacation time.

The embrace of employee wellness and engagement as strategic imperatives is a significant paradigm shift in the business world, one that will only grow stronger in the coming year. Evolved leaders will bring a spirit of innovation to their employee engagement and wellness initiatives, and give them the same energy and care as their core products and services. Employee engagement and wellness are about protecting your human capital, your most valuable asset. Organizations that ensure their employees flourish and thrive will always be ahead of the curve.

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