How to Encourage Health and Wellness at Work

A small business owner has so many tasks and responsibilities to think about that it can be only too easy for health and wellness concerns to fall through the cracks.

But, considering that people spend such a large proportion of their lives at work, prioritizing and promoting wellness can make a big difference for even the smallest companies. Plus, once you add up the figures with your small business accounting software, you could be pleasantly surprised by the cost savings.

Why encourage health and wellness?

Lower health-care costs. For many businesses, one of the main motivations to implement staff wellness programs is financial. If you provide health care for your employees, a healthier workforce will save you money.

For example, Dr. Richard Syder, senior medical director at Independence Blue Cross, says that at least 50 percent of an organization's healthcare costs are linked to employees' smoking, poor diet and lack of exercise, according to figures from the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Fewer employee sick days. Healthier employees are also less likely to take time off for illness, thus putting less strain on other workers and helping ensure projects are completed in a timely manner.

Reduction in employee stress. A stressed workforce is less likely to be productive, and a healthy workforce is less likely to be stressed.

Recruitment and retention. Putting a wellness program in place shows that you care about your workers' health and wellbeing. This move will increase your opportunities for attracting high-quality job candidates, as well as improving employee retention for existing workers.

Builds community. A wellness program gives workers the opportunity to interact outside the office, support each other's progress and build camaraderie.

How to encourage health and wellness

Lead by example. To inspire change, you have to practice what you preach. Set a good example and show your employees you are invested in their wellbeing by eating healthily, taking a lunchtime walk and generally leading a healthy lifestyle in the workplace.

Identify your goals. Do you want to encourage weight loss? Stress maintenance? Lower blood pressure? Or all of the above? Pinpoint your goals early on so you know what initiatives to focus on. Also use your small business accounting software to set a budget so you know what you can afford to provide.

Offer a health-risk assessment. Some employees may not even be aware of their own health status. A health-risk assessment provided by a company that specializes in workplace wellness can identify potential risks and suggest ways to boost health.

Provide healthy foods. If you have a cafeteria or snack table, make sure it's stocked with healthy choices instead of junk food. On employer-sponsored outings and parties, choose restaurants that are known for their well-balanced meals. Keep vending machines full of granola and energy bars, water and diet soda rather than their high-calorie equivalents.

Offer an exercise program. One way to do this is to invest in pedometers for your staff and start a daily lunchtime walking program. Build up slowly and challenge people to see how many steps they can take during their 30-minute or 60-minute break.

Provide insurance incentives. Some employers have found great success by offering health insurance discounts to workers who meet particular criteria or achieve certain goals. These could include quitting smoking or lowering their body mass index below a set figure. You could even give a bonus for getting a flu shot. Use your small business accounting software to help determine the best approach.

Create a contest. The success of this approach depends on the particular workplace environment. Some employees may respond well to a competition to see who can shed the most pounds in a given week or log the most steps on a pedometer, but others may find it embarrassing or offensive. If you do create a contest, make sure the awards are healthy too, such as a gift certificate to a spa or vegetarian restaurant.

Bring in the experts. Sponsor a workshop on healthy eating and invite a dietician to give a presentation. Or how about a personal trainer visit to give tips on burning calories around the office? Some employers organize a health day, with a variety of activities and products to sample. For instance, some massage therapists will volunteer five-minute neck massages for employees in exchange for promoting their business.