Benefits Of Promoting Wellness

by Jessica Flora

There are many ways employers can encourage wellness in the workplace. They can be small efforts such as offering healthy options in the vending machine or larger efforts such as on-site fitness equipment. Whichever an employer decides upon, encouraging wellness in the workplace has many benefits. 

The survey says:

According to AAIM Employers’ Association’s 2015-2016 Policies and Benefits Survey of 150 St. Louis and central Illinois businesses, 30.7% of employers offer reduced membership rates at local health clubs.

Benefits for promoting wellness in the workplace:
• Higher engagement. Adding wellness to the workplace increases employee involvement and engagement.
• Increased attendance. Employees will be healthier overall, resulting in fewer unplanned absences and sick days.
• Decreased stress. Studies have proved that individuals who work out and eat healthfully have less stress overall. This will result in less stress for employees in the workplace.
• Long-term reduced medical rates. If your employees’ overall population becomes healthier, it will have positive long-term effects on your medical rates as an organization.
• A workplace community. Your employees will begin working together to achieve their wellness goals, creating a more connected workforce.

Jessica Flora, PHR (solutions.team@aaimea.org) is on the Research and Solutions Team for AAIM Employers’ Association, which helps Missouri and Illinois companies manage their people and processes.