Components of an employee wellness program

More and more employers are seeing the value of adding an employee wellness program, to the benefits that they offer their staff. One of the best things about doing this is that employers can offer the type of program that best fits their employees' needs and meets their budget. In other words, there is not set right or wrong employee wellness program. Successful employee wellness program are set up after extensively researching what employees are looking for. When a company offers a program that meets the needs of their employees they are far more likely to have a successful employee wellness program. If you are looking to set up an employee wellness program, then it pays to research all of he possible items that can make up your program. Here are some of the components of an employee wellness program-

• Fitness-This is the perhaps the most popular and widely used component of any employee wellness program. Most employees are looking for ways that they can exercise and improve their fitness. Employers are addressing this need with a variety of options. For some lucky employees, this means that their company will install a full scale gym, complete with the latest workout equipment, on site. In addition, many companies are choosing to put in a pool that allows their employees to access aquatic fitness, as well. These gyms also have full size locker rooms and showers, so that employees can come to work, and work out, before starting their day. If your business is not able to put these types of resources into the fitness component, of their employee wellness program, then there are other viable options, as well. This can include anything from putting exercise equipment, in an unused conference room, providing walking trails and bikes to use, or offering free or discounted passes to a nearby gym.
• Nutrition/Weight loss-Another major concern for many employees is improving their nutrition and/or losing weight. Studies have shown that obesity is costing employers billions of dollars per year. An employee who is significantly overweight is more likely to become sick or injured (resulting in using more health insurance and sick time). In addition, overweight employees are more at risk for diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic condition, which can lead to a lifetime disability. Helping your employees understand the need for good nutrition and weight control is an important component of improving their overall health. Businesses are doing this in a variety of ways which include but is not limited: improving their cafeteria menu, changing out vending machines to carry healthier snacks and beverages, offering classes on nutrition, cooking and weight management, and setting up one on one consultation with nutritionist and dieticians. All of these options can be structured to meet the needs of the employees and stay within the wellness budget of the business.
• Smoking Cessation-Another major component of many employee wellness programs is a smoking cessation program. Again, like the other components, this program can be put in place in a number of different ways. Many employers choose to offer an onsite program that is lead by a professional company, while others will give their employees a chance to attend an offsite smoking cessation program. Generally, employees are evaluated to determine what type of program would work best for them. Employers may or may not offer an incentive, for a successful completion of the program.
• Emotional/Mental Health-Many employers are choosing to offer as a component of their employee wellness program, an emotional/mental health program that allows employees to seek out counseling, for any emotional problems that they may be having. This type of program is generally known as an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and functions under the umbrella of the Employee Wellness Program.