When you walk into a business, whether it’s a store, office, or corporate building, you can soon feel the atmosphere and noticeable health of the employees.
You’ll pick up the subtle and not-so-subtle cues that tell you whether this is a happy and thriving workplace, or disgruntled and staff are just getting by day to day.
In a previous post, I talked about how the buzz around “corporate wellness” has firmly established itself into corporate America, and is the key factor to consider in cost savings for any company.
Now let’s break down the advantages of corporate wellness programs.
The Hard Returns and Corporate Wellness Benefits
With a smoking cessation program alone, a company can save approximately $6,000 each year for every staff member who quits. Read more about my Smoking Cessation Tips.
Statistics like these should motivate you to consider the financial benefits of creating a strategy for a healthy workplace. Other corporate wellness benefits include:
- Lower sick days and lost productivity; unscheduled time away costs roughly $3,600 per year for each hourly worker and $2,650 each year for salaried employees.[1]
- Lower health care costs.
- Lower employee turn-over; with costs for lost knowledge, recruiters and training.
- Less employee depression, and substance abuse.
- Increased employee engagement and contribution.
- Increased job satisfaction and self-esteem.
- Increased employee morale, energy and stamina.
- Increased camaraderie among co-workers.
- Increased inclusive activities, such as walking clubs or company sports teams.
- Less workplace hazards and improved ergonomics, minimizing injury and repetitive strains.
- Less workplace bullying or harassment.
If a company provides their best to an employee, the natural result is that happier, healthier employees bring their very best to the job.
It Begins at the Top
But as with any change in a corporate environment, it first must begin with a shift in attitude that starts at the top, with measurable actions to follow suit. Corporate leaders need to be fully engaged and champion a company-wide wellness strategy for true success and measurable outcomes.
And given the statistics and cost savings, why wouldn’t you want a healthier workplace? Times are changin’ and it’s about time the workplace changes along with it, for the benefit of not just a few, but for everyone.
Alison Brehme
Alison Brehme is the founder and CEO of Virtual Corporate Wellness. Her company is dedicated to helping businesses invest in their team so they can maximize productivity, boost profits, and become known as one of the best places to work! Corporate Wellness isn't just a gym membership, a fruit bowl, or healthy snacks. It's a business necessity that increases employee engagement, lowers healthcare costs, and create a stress-free culture where wellness is the center. With over 12 years in corporate marketing, Alison understands both the executive side and employee aspect of corporate wellness making her perspective unique. In addition to managing her own company, she’s the Program Director of Well.org’s Corporate Wellness Academy, a certification program for those interested in workplace wellness. She’s also a certified nutrition coach, certified corporate wellness consultant and has an advertising degree from the University of Texas.
