Creating a Culture of Health and Wellness in the Workplace

As employers seek to do more with less, workers are feeling the pressure. According to the American Institute of Stress, 80 percent of workers feel stress on the job, and nearly half say they need help to learn how to manage stress. With statistics like these, it's no wonder that employee well-being is top of mind for many organizations.

Fortunately, there are things employers can do to create a culture of health and wellness in the workplace. By focusing on prevention and early intervention, companies can address stress before it leads to burnout. And by creating an environment that supports workers' physical, mental, and emotional health, employers can improve worker productivity and attract and retain top talent.

Here are three key strategies companies can employ to promote employee well-being:

1. Foster a culture of health and wellness.

Employers should provide resources and support to help employees manage stress and promote healthy lifestyles. Examples include on-site or remote access to fitness facilities, smoking cessation programs, weight management programs, stress management workshops, and meditation classes. Employees should also be encouraged to take advantage of health insurance benefits such as preventative screenings and flu shots.

2. Encourage work/life balance.

Employers should provide flexible work arrangements whenever possible and encourage employees to take advantage of them. Flexible work arrangements can include telecommuting, compressed work weeks, flexible start and end times, and paid time off for personal or family illnesses. Employers should also consider offering childcare benefits, eldercare resources, and pet insurance.

3. Promote positive social interactions.

Employees should feel like they are part of a team and that their contributions are valued. Employers can promote positive social interactions by hosting regular team-building activities, celebrating birthdays and work anniversaries, providing mentorship and leadership development opportunities, and encouraging employees to participate in community service projects.

When employees feel supported in their efforts to manage stress and promote healthy lifestyles, they're more likely to be productive members of the workforce. By focusing on prevention and early intervention, companies can address stress before it leads to burnout. And by creating an environment that supports workers' physical, mental, and emotional health, employers can improve worker productivity and attract and retain top talent.