A happy, productive workplace is the ultimate goal for today’s forward-thinking business owners. But what is the best path to this goal? Many people are surprised to learn that health and wellness programs play a critical role in reducing absenteeism and boosting productivity. In fact, one study shows that productivity increases by an average of one full workday per month for employees who participate in health and wellness programs. Below is a look at the important role that HR can play in creating a health-focused workplace.
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What can HR do to promote health and wellness best practices?
HR Directors play a pivotal role in promoting health and wellness best practices among employees. By working with senior executives to boost workplace flexibility and develop wellness initiatives, an HR Director can help to build a culture of wellness at work. Below are seven health and wellness tips for HR professionals to use to promote a healthier workforce.
1. Make employee health a top priority.
The path to a healthier workforce begins by treating employee health as a pressing matter. This means adjusting your existing policies, procedures, and training materials to reflect the inclusion of health and wellness content.
2. Establish a flexible work environment.
Nearly 90 percent of employees seek flexibility with their jobs. Unfortunately, the percentage of companies with flexible work environments is only about 60 percent. The good news is that there are many ways to move toward a more flexible work environment. Here are a few examples of flexibility in the workplace:
- Adjustable work schedules that allow employees to adapt their employment hours to fit their unique lifestyles
- Remote work arrangements that enable employees to perform their jobs from home or another offsite location
- Four-day workweeks that allow employees to work four ten-hour days rather than five eight-hour days
3. Establish an employee health and wellness program.
“Wellness programs, including financial wellness programs, help increase productivity by reducing absenteeism, and by retaining employees. A good wellness program can help employees get and stay healthier physically and emotionally.” – Dr. Martha Menard, Health Scientist and Researcher
A robust health and wellness program can help you attract, retain, and delight top talent. Of all the human resource solutions a company can offer to employees, a sound health and wellness program has the potential to make the greatest impact on an employee’s physical and mental health. There are many resources to use when designing and implementing a program, including those that help boost employee participation to achieve maximum benefit.
4. Stress adherence to safety policies to avoid injury.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) exists to help ensure that employers keep workplaces free of health and safety hazards. OSHA stresses that employees have the right to receive safety training in clear, understandable language, and to receive the safety equipment they need to protect themselves from injury. One of the best ways to achieve these goals is to regularly review and update your safety policies and make sure that all training materials reflect your latest policy updates.
5. Encourage employees to exercise during the workday.
“Many barriers to physical activity can be addressed by worksite physical activity programs. For example, a simple walking path that provides employees with the opportunity to walk at work may address barriers such as not having time to walk, concerns about neighborhood safety, or lack of social support.” – Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
Permitting employees to exercise during the workday is a win-win for employers and workers alike. Research shows that increased physical activity can help maintain a healthier workplace. The CDC offers some specific suggestions to employers. For example, they encourage managers to provide physical access to exercise opportunities and ensuring that managers are outwardly supportive of physical activity.
6. Communicate regularly with employees.
Regular communication with employees can help create a more engaged, informed workforce. Additionally, communicating regularly can help managers and HR professionals detect signs of burnout that can develop due to poor work-life balance and counterproductive workplace dynamics. Here are some keys to establishing a sound channel of communication with your employees:
- Don’t rely on automated messages. Schedule periodic face-to-face meetings, calls, and video conferences to share updates and news.
- Ask employees for their feedback. Truly engaging with employees is impossible if the communication is completely one-sided.
- Be positive when communicating. Focus on empowering employees to take advantage of available resources to improve their health.
7. Provide special benefit provisions to employees.
Whether your employees face challenging times or everyday bumps in the road, they deserve to have easy access to the best physical and mental health resources. Sound selection and management of health care benefits such as Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), telehealth, identity theft and credit monitoring services, and onsite clinics is critical to ensuring that employees are able to receive the care and guidance they need swiftly.
The Bottom Line on Employee Health and Wellness
Maintaining employee health and wellness is essential to building a high-functioning workplace. As outlined above, today’s HR leaders have more options than ever to consider when developing health and wellness initiatives for employees. By following these seven health and wellness tips for HR professionals, today’s HR teams can help create a happier, more productive workplace.
