More and more companies around the world are choosing to implement wellness programs in the workplace as a way to increase employee health and happiness and combat employee turnover.

Wellness programs benefit both employers and employees

A wellness program can provide immense benefits for both employers and employees and can contribute to business growth. Overall, healthier people work harder, are happier, are more willing to help others, and are generally more productive. On the other hand, unhealthy employees may be more unhappy with their jobs and less efficient with everyday tasks. Additionally, healthier people don't have to take sick days and use health care coverage, meaning the company will actually save money by investing in a wellness program. In knowing all of these benefits a wellness program can bring to a company, there really is no excuse for companies to not go ahead with starting a new program.

How to implement a wellness program in your workplace

After understanding the many benefits of a wellness program, the next step is understanding how to implement a wellness program in the workplace. A wellness program must be implemented correctly by using company-specific planning. A good HR provider will be able to thoroughly assess the business and figure out the best program for the company. Luckily, implementing a wellness program is fairly easy to do by following these few simple steps.

• Determine the needs of the employers and the employees. It's important to begin the process by figuring out what employees need and how those needs fit with the goals of the employer. It is crucial to understand both sides in order to determine potential challenges that may arise. It may be a good idea to conduct a simple health risk assessment to evaluate problem areas.

• Analyze data and use it to create a plan. After determining the needs of the employer and the employees, it's time to determine what will work for the existing culture. If it's unclear what elements of a wellness plan will work best, the plan could combine multiple elements like fitness classes, wellness workshops, or individual health assessments. In combining multiple elements, there will be something for everybody to benefit from.

• Ensure communication remains open regarding the wellness program. A culture of wellness needs reinforcement. HR providers and employers should lay out the program's framework in order to communicate the information to employees. Additionally, employers should consider providing incentives for employees who actively work towards getting healthy. Communication should remain open and employers should consistently ask for feedback or concerns regarding the program.

Working with an HR firm will allow employers to accurately assess the current needs of the company. It's critical that employers understand how to implement a wellness program correctly in order to be efficient with their resources.