Making it easy for employees to be healthy

Employees who are in good health are important for a number of reasons. Better health means lower insurance costs, less time spent out on sick days, and increased employee productivity.

You can encourage employee health in your office by making it easy for employees to be healthy. You can do this in a number of ways, many of which don't require a lot of money.

These are just a few ways you can make it easy for employees to be healthy:

• Get rid of the junk. There are many unhealthy food options lurking all over workplaces-candy jars are staples in many offices, department lunches often consist of fattening pizza or takeout, and many times, employees will bring in homemade treats. While this is fine on occasion, it makes it difficult for employees to be healthy. So swap the candy jar for a fruit bowl, or limit baked goods and treats for birthdays or special occasions. It will be easier for employees to keep healthy weights if they don't have the temptation to eat poorly around.
• Encourage activity. Physical activity is important for any health regimen. You can encourage it, and make it easy, by offering opportunities to exercise. Provide reimbursement for gym memberships (many offer company discounts) and go on your lunches. Or, form sports teams within the office, such as softball, 3 on 3 basketball, or volleyball, and play before or after work.
• Offer wellness programs. It's easier for employees to be healthier when companies provide programs that allow them to make healthier choices and habits. On-site smoking cessation courses, weight loss support groups, and other types of wellness programs make it accessible and easy to adopt healthier habits. Do a quick survey and find out what types of programs employees want; from there, you can determine which ones to implement to encourage health in your employees.
• Have challenges. Many people enjoy a little healthy competition. They find it encouraging and fun at the same time. Implementing some healthy challenges in the workplace can make it easy for employees to be healthier. A few challenges some companies have incorporated are Biggest Loser challenges, fitness competitions (whoever logs the most minutes, for example, or works out consistently the longest), and so forth. Mark each other's progress and offer prizes and kick off parties to get people excited about it.
• Consider incentives. Sometimes, a little extra push is all that's needed to make it easier for employees to be healthy. Incentives like extra vacation days, gift certificates, movie tickets, cash, or a team activity to reward a challenge that all employees participated in.
• Be motivating. It's not easy to be healthy when you're doing it on your own. That's why setting a good example for your employees and encouraging healthy habits around the office and outside of it can make it easy for your employees to be healthy. Participate in and promote company functions and events that encourage healthy habits and lead by example. Get the office excited about health and exercise, and you may find that it's catching.

Healthy employees are advantageous for an office for a number of reasons. They save money, increase productivity, and are healthier and happier overall. These are a few of the many ways you can make it easy for your employees to be healthy.