Sustaining Your Employees Well-being: The Advantages of an Annual Wellness Plan
Introduction
We understand that many companies have turned to one-time employee wellness challenges as a quick fix to boost morale and productivity in the workplace. However, as research suggests, true and lasting change comes from committing to a consistent, ongoing effort. A study published in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology found that "interventions with longer duration and greater intensity are more effective in promoting physical activity and improving health outcomes." That's why we've made the decision to focus only on offering annual employee wellness plans to our clients. We are still open to some larger scale one-time challenges that promote the bigger inititative, but our priorities and decision making goes towards the companies who are there for the long run.
Table of Contents
Long-Term Change from Consistent Effort
An annual employee wellness plan is a comprehensive program that includes a variety of activities and resources to help employees improve their overall health and well-being. This can include things like exercise, fitness, nutrition, education, stress management and mental health challenges that are backed by resources. By committing to a year-long program, employees will have the time and support they need to make meaningful changes in their health and well-being. According to a study published in the American Journal of Health Promotion, "participants in worksite health promotion programs who were in the program for a year or more had significantly better health outcomes compared to those who were in the program for less than a year."
Components of an Annual Employee Wellness Plan
One of the biggest advantages of an annual employee wellness plan is that it allows employees to set and achieve long-term health goals. One-time challenges, on the other hand, often focus on short-term goals that may not be sustainable in the long run. For example, a one-time weight loss challenge may help employees shed a few pounds in the short-term, but without ongoing support and education, they may find it difficult to maintain their progress over time. According to a study published in the American Journal of Health Promotion, "sustained participation in a worksite health promotion program is associated with long-term weight loss and improved cardiovascular health." An annual wellness plan, on the other hand, provides employees with the tools and resources they need to make lasting changes in their diet, exercise, and overall lifestyle.
Advantages of an Annual Employee Wellness Plan
Another key benefit of an annual employee wellness plan is that it promotes a culture of health and well-being in the workplace. By making wellness a priority on an ongoing basis, companies can create an environment where employees feel supported and encouraged to take care of their physical and mental health. This can lead to a more engaged, productive, and happy workforce. Studies have shown that companies with strong wellness programs have lower absenteeism rates and higher levels of employee engagement and job satisfaction. According to a meta-analysis published in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, "worksite health promotion programs are associated with improved employee health behaviors, reduced absenteeism, and increased job satisfaction and morale."
Setting and Achieving Long-Term Goals
An annual employee wellness plan also allows companies to track and measure the impact of their wellness program over time. With one-time challenges, it can be difficult to determine the overall effectiveness of the program and make necessary adjustments. An annual plan, on the other hand, provides ongoing data and feedback that can be used to continuously improve the program and ensure that it is meeting the needs of employees. Additionally, research has found that "wellness programs that are tailored to the specific needs of the organization and its employees are more effective than one-size-fits-all programs." This is why our annual employee wellness plans are customized to meet the specific needs of each client's organization and employees.
Positive Impact on Company's Bottom Line
Additionally, an annual employee wellness plan can also have a positive impact on a company's bottom line. A study by RAND Corporation found that worksite wellness programs can lead to cost savings for employers, particularly in the areas of healthcare and absenteeism. Another study by the Integrated Benefits Institute found that for every dollar invested in worksite wellness programs, there is an average return on investment of $3.27 in medical cost savings and $2.73 in absenteeism savings. By investing in the health and well-being of employees, companies can see a sustained boost in employee engagement, productivity, and overall happiness, as well as cost savings in the long run.
Importance of Addressing Both Physical and Mental Health
It's also important to note that an annual employee wellness plan is not just about physical health, but also mental health. A study published in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology found that "worksite interventions that target both physical and mental health can have a greater impact on employee well-being and productivity than interventions that target only one aspect of health." Our annual employee wellness plans include access to mental health resources, such as counseling and support groups, to address both physical and mental health.
Role of Employee Participation and Decision-Making
Moreover, a study published in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology found that "wellness programs that involve significant levels of employee participation and decision-making are more effective than programs that do not." Our annual employee wellness plans include employee participation and decision-making in order to ensure that the program is meeting the needs of the employees and that they are motivated to continue participating.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while one-time employee wellness challenges may provide a quick boost in morale and productivity, they are not sustainable in the long-term. An annual employee wellness plan, on the other hand, provides employees with the time and support they need to make meaningful changes in their health and well-being, promotes a culture of health and well-being in the workplace, allows companies to track and measure the impact of the program, and can lead to cost savings for the company. By investing in the health and well-being of employees, companies can see a sustained boost in employee engagement, productivity, and overall happiness.
