Employee burnout is a real thing. Nothing is worse than having stressed-out, demotivated, and overburdened employees. Prioritizing the mental and emotional health and wellness of your employees makes an amazing difference in the office environment and the overall productivity of your workforce.
This is why corporate wellness programs were created.
What is a corporate wellness program?
Corporate wellness programs are designed to provide employees with a support structure that encourages holistic wellbeing outside their job objectives and evaluations. These types of programs offer health and wellness solutions that speak to the physical, mental, and spiritual health of the employees. Research shows that nearly 3 in 5 employees reported an increase in negative feelings and work-related stress since 2020.
Aside from the pandemic which has caused a general increase in anxiety among persons, studies also show that long work hours can also contribute to these negative work-related feelings. In fact, it was proven that extended working hours are directly linked to stress, depression, and suicide ideation among young employees between ages 20-35.
Another study revealed that not only are Americans working longer hours these days, but they are also working longer hours than nearly everyone else in the entire world. The study showed that:
- Nearly 134 countries have laws that set a maximum length of the workweek, while the U.S. does not.
- Workers in the U.S. work an average of 1,767 hours per year, as opposed to countries that are a part of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) which work an average of 1,687 hours.
- U.S. workers work 435 more hours per year than German workers, 400 more hours per year than the United Kingdom (UK) workers, 365 more hours per year than French workers, and 169 more hours per year than Japanese workers.
America has a culture of working hard, and while that has its positives, we also cannot ignore the downside to this as well, especially over prolonged periods of time.
Canada has also opted for making changes to the workforce as a means of increasing employee retention. According to a recent survey by Mercer Canada, 54% of Canadian employees have adopted a hybrid work environment, as a way of prioritizing their employees’ mental health.
The importance of corporate wellness in an organization
Due to these shocking statistics, and the evident effects of the current work environment that employees are experiencing, many HR departments have taken to implementing and offering programs that target mental and emotional health. Many hire professionals who are able to customize programs for their employees to help counteract work pressures and help them to reconnect with their inner selves.
A thorough, well-executed program has many benefits, including the ability to:
- Improve the emotional health and wellness of employees
- Fortify positive work routines and practices
- Help prevent and avoid chronic illnesses associated with burnout
- Improve social connectivity within the workplace
- Encourage better, healthier communication among staff
- Increase productivity levels
- Establish and increase trust among team members and staff
- Decrease staff churn rate
So, now that you know the benefits of corporate wellness programs in an organization, how exactly do you go about implementing it?
Benefits of outsourcing corporate wellness experts
While some HR departments may want to tackle these programs themselves, there is proven benefit to outsourcing experts in the field for these programs. The fact is, developing these kinds of programs requires extensive time and effort. The existing resources that are available may not be able to handle the dedicated additional effort to get it done effectively.
A successful program requires a precise blend of mental, emotional, and overall wellness approaches, that takes the company’s office culture into consideration. The program also needs to be able to adapt and evolve to keep pace with growth and new wellness standards to meet the employees’ needs. In other words, in order for the program to be effective, expert resources are necessary.
Additionally, there are some benefits that cannot be accessed with the use of an internal system.
- Precise employee data collection – The feedback and data collected from the employees is the only way to develop a customized program specific to their needs. Some HR managers may not feel comfortable enough to ask the relevant questions necessary to collect this data. Especially since this involves the collection of sensitive, identifiable information of their employees. An outside party can collect this data without bias, and is able to then tailor specific programs for the needs that arise.
- Staff Transparency – The fact is, just as some HR personnel may not feel comfortable collecting certain information from employees, employees may not feel comfortable being open with HR. The fear of bias and possible repercussions that can occur from disclosing sensitive information may prevent employees from being transparent with their issues. A third party is able to offer a discreet method where staff can share personal details and feedback about the company, which will allow the program to be more specific in its targeting of these concerns.
- Meeting where it matters – The truth is, HR professionals are unable to give the dedicated time and attention needed for staying on top of mental and behavioral practices and standards. Information around wellness is better assimilated with expert advice. Outsourced professionals are able to use these programs to bridge any gaps between HR and any resources they have and employees and their needs.
Employees recognize the results and feel important. A staff that feels empowered and elevated will reflect in the overall performance and productivity of the organization. The overall wellness of your employees’ matters. Providing them with the tools and tangible steps to achieve their goals and restore inner unity will positively impact the organization.
Learn about our employee wellness programs and book a call if you are ready to invest in your team’s wellbeing.