Encouraging better health in employees at a small business
Wellness in the workplace is not just for big business. As entrepreneurs, you can encourage wellness, too.
By implementing a “healthy workplace” you can reap the benefits. They can include increased employee morale and decreased absenteeism. Most importantly, if you offer employees the educational tools and resources to purchase their own individual health insurance, they will strive to be healthier due to their individual accountability and financial gains.
Keep in mind, the best wellness programs don’t come from upper management, they come from the employees themselves. Take inventory and ask employees what they’re interested in and they will be more likely to engage in a healthy lifestyle and company-sponsored programs.
Think about offering wellness education, health tips for employees to maximize their exercise regimens, and other low-cost options to make getting healthy fun. The professional benefits are endless when employees are living their best life both at work and at home. As entrepreneurs, that’s exactly what we want.
June 21st, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Health and wellness is so important for a small business. The health care costs are already a burden, and reducing this can have a major impact on the bottom line. Also look at the impact it has on the employees. Morale, productivity, and overall well being all improve.
I like the bottoms up approach, but we need to keep in mind that we are leaders for a reason. Work with your team and determine what will be best for them. Wrap your program around this.
This approach is similar to a customer approach for your company. Find a niche, identify it’s needs, develop products/services to fill those needs, and focus your entire company on the customer.