The start of a new year is the perfect time to focus on what changes you can make to improve your business and the lives of your employees -- and establishing a company-wide wellness program is a great place to start. Corporate wellness programs are designed to promote healthier and more conscious lifestyles for those who participate via activities, competitions, screenings, and educational curricula. A particular wellness program might include corporate-sponsored walks and runs, quarterly or annual health screenings, nutritional advice, group yoga, and more.

At first glance, it might not be entirely clear why such a program would benefit a business’ bottom line. A deeper look, however, reveals that a carefully crafted wellness program can bring employees together, increase output, aid in creative thinking, and much more. Let’s discuss the many benefits of corporate wellness programs so you might invest in one of your own this new year.

Benefits of Employee Wellness Programs

Boost Workplace Morale

Exercising regularly, eating healthier, getting more sleep, etc., aren’t always the easiest things to do, but these wellness efforts can have a major positive effect on a person’s overall outlook. Not only that -- performing these activities with others can motivate individuals to do their best. As a result, corporate wellness programs have the dual benefit of solidifying employee bonds and improving one’s mood, which amounts to greater workplace morale. When people feel good about their physical and mental well-being, they will do their best work and work better with others.

Increase Health and Productivity

As we’ve just discussed, employee morale has a direct relationship with productivity. That said, corporate wellness programs can increase productivity in another key way as well -- namely by decreasing the number of sick days your business endures. While no wellness program can guarantee illness prevention, educational initiatives combined with corporate cleaning efforts can greatly reduce the spread of contagious diseases. A flu prevention program, for instance, can teach employees about influenza transmission, best practices for personal hygiene, and so on. And wellness programs that focus on physical health and preventative care can boost employees’ immune systems to provide a stronger defense against illness. Ultimately, these efforts keep employees healthier, happier, and working at full capacity.

Bolster Your Bottom Line

A decline in disease transmission also translates to fewer healthcare costs, which can greatly aid a business’s bottom line. While it’s true that corporate wellness programs and increased cleaning/disinfection efforts can be costly in their own right, the potential long-term benefits often outweigh these initial costs. Coming up with a tangible number for this return on investment is challenging, but note that a boost in morale and productivity translates to real dollars over time.

Maintain Your Competitive Edge

Finally, perhaps the most significant yet least tangible benefit of corporate wellness programs is that they can help propel a business forward in terms of innovation. The workplace of the modern era is not that of stale cubicles, minimal interaction, and lack of movement. Rather, forward-thinking businesses are placing a greater focus on physical and mental health, largely because doing so has yielded more active, enthusiastic, and creative workers. In this way, honing in on wellness is not simply a novelty but instead a paradigm shift that keeps companies competitive and inventive. If you’re looking for ways to stay on the cutting edge, then, consider coming up with a corporate wellness program that suits your business’s needs and goals.

Prioritizing Wellness for a New Year

If we learned anything from last year (2020), it’s that nothing is more important than a person’s health and well-being. So, as you enter 2021, make wellness a priority with a comprehensive corporate wellness program. The Budd Group is here to help you develop and/or implement this plan. To learn more about our services and values, give us a call today at 800-221-8158!