Employee wellness is critical for long-term health of both staff and a company. According to career platform Zippia, wellness programs have shown to reduce absenteeism by about 20%. Meanwhile, more than 70% of employers reported a reduction in healthcare costs after implementing a program and 84% reported better productivity among staff.

Here are six ways to encourage improved physical health among employees.

1

Provide an ergonomic workspace.

According to The Heart Foundation, sitting for hours at a time can increase an individual’s risk for serious conditions like heart disease, diabetes and cancer. A desk that encourages movement can counteract some of those negative effects. Provide standing desks, anti-fatigue mats and balance balls for staff, and create goals for walking or jogging around the building.

2

Offer wellness days.

Invite local yogis and massage therapists into the office for wellness days and turn a conference room into a restful space with low lighting and calming music. You could also organize off-site wellness retreats with opportunities for fitness sessions, meditation, confidential one-on-one discussions with health professionals and, of course, branded swag.

3

Welcome professionals for education sessions.

Employees might have physical health questions but they’re not sure who to ask. Survey staff to find out what they’d like to know more about (keep it confidential) and then bring in related professionals – like nutritionists and personal trainers – who can offer group lunch-and-learns plus one-on-one discussions. Provide incentives like extra PTO or gift cards for those who attend.

70%
the percentage of employers that reported a reduction in healthcare costs after implementing a wellness program.(Zippia)

4

Host healthy potlucks.

Invite employees to bring their favorite healthy dishes to a group potluck. To start, survey everyone to check for food allergies and limitations and share that information with staff (keeping respondents’ names confidential) so they can choose recipes accordingly. Ask everyone to submit their recipes so you can share them afterwards.

5

Organize employee sports teams.

Help staff form teams for fun tournaments, like softball, kickball or volleyball. Set up an area outside for play, or use space in a local park, for one full day or a series over a few weeks. Provide team T-shirts for all players and reward the overall winners with high-end swag, extra PTO or a group lunch to celebrate the win.

6

Encourage gym membership with discounts.

Subsidize employee memberships at local gyms to promote regular workouts. Also consider providing branded items like apparel, water bottles, towels and duffel bags that they can bring to workouts and classes. In addition, be flexible with scheduling to allow busy employees to visit the gym when it’s most convenient for them – perhaps first thing in the morning or during lunch. According to business management consultancy People Element, 87% of employees expect their employer to support better work-life balance.