Recently, when news about two employees in Bangalore hiring goons to harm their manager spread, it shocked many. It made us think about what the state of these particular professionals might have been, to resort to something so serious. This incident, among many other lesser- known news, begs us to pay attention to the issue of workplace wellness. It prompts us to consider how work pressure and stress might lead to mental health issues.
It is no secret that all of us crave a corporate culture that embraces breaks, respects our need for rest and values personal space. This is where corporate wellness programs become essential. Studies, such as Ron Goetzel’s research published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, state that well-designed wellness programs can enhance employee retention by creating a healthier and more supportive work environment.
“It’s up to you today to start making healthy choices. Not choices that are just healthy for your body, but healthy for your mind,” says bestselling author Steve Maraboli. He emphasises on the importance of making choices that benefit not only one’s physical but mental wellbeing as well. When applied to the workplace, this philosophy highlights the significance of caring for one’s employees. When professionals feel cared for, they are likely to stay committed to the organisation. A thoughtfully, crafted employee wellness program supports their physical, mental and emotional wellbeing and cultivates loyalty among teams. According to Nilgiri-based Mental Fitness, Digital Wellness and Mindfulness Coach Bindiya Murgai, “Mental health programs are the heart of corporate wellness, turning stress into strength and driving a culture of compassion and productivity. They transform workplaces into supportive, stigma-free communities where every individual can thrive.”
So, join us as we explore how to create a corporate wellness program that works for you.
One of the first things that need our focus while crafting an employee wellness program is mental health support. Employees dedicate a significant portion of their day to their work. This makes it crucial to prioritise their mental wellbeing during these hours. We can include initiatives such as counselling services and mental health awareness campaigns for them. Further, it is important to provide training to managers for recognising signs of stress and burnout in their teams in order to create a stigma-free environment where employees feel comfortable asking for help. By investing in mental health support, organisations not only show care for their employees’ wellbeing but also enhance the overall morale of the workplace.
Earlier, workplaces adhered to fixed work timings, but today, there’s a growing recognition of the benefits of flexibility. Introducing flexibility into your workplace can enhance productivity and improve performance among your staff. For example, some employees may excel during the early hours of the day, while others may be more productive in the later hours.
Flexible work arrangements can also include options such as remote work, compressed work weeks and flexible start and end times. By accommodating individual needs in this manner, companies can attract and retain talent. Flexibility also helps organisations to manage their workload effectively and promotes a healthier work-life balance.
Imagine working nonstop for hours throughout the day? Sounds exhausting, doesn’t it? Taking breaks throughout the workday is important for maintaining employee wellbeing and enhancing their productivity. Encouraging regular breaks should be part of every wellness program, no matter how big or small the organisation is. Employees should be encouraged to take short breaks to stretch, walk or engage in activities that promote mental relaxation.
Additionally, recognising the importance of longer breaks, such as taking a few days off for a holiday, is equally important. These breaks help people disconnect from work, reduce their stress levels and allow them to return refreshed and motivated.
Many workplaces today provide employees with remote accessibility that offers numerous benefits—it cuts down on commute times and allows employees to spend more time with their families or indulge in activities they like. However, a downside to remote work is that it can blur the boundaries between work and personal life. Many employees find themselves caught in a cycle where they may be asked to work beyond traditional office hours, encroaching into their evenings and weekends. This can lead to a burnout or negatively impact their overall wellbeing.
It’s essential for employers to recognise the importance of giving employees adequate space to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Allowing employees to dedicate a set number of hours to work each day and then encouraging them to disconnect and focus on their personal lives is crucial. This ensures that employees have time to recharge and prioritise self-care.
Regular health screenings play a vital role in early detection and prevention of health issues among people, and that includes employees. Companies can take proactive steps by organising on-site screenings for conditions such as blood pressure, cholesterol levels, diabetes and even cancer. These screenings provide employees with insight into their health status and empower them to make informed decisions about their own wellbeing. Early detection also allows for timely intervention, which not only improves individual health outcomes but also reduces healthcare costs for both employees and employers.
Further, by encouraging employees to prioritise their health through such screenings, organisations demonstrate a genuine commitment to preventive care and employee wellness.
Good communication at work is all about treating everyone with respect. Sometimes, managers can unintentionally come across as distant, making it hard for employees to share ideas or concerns openly. It’s important for managers and the management to be friendly and approachable, and not be over-critical. It has been seen that employees feel valued when their suggestions are listened to and feedback about their work is shared kindly. An important thing to remember here is that as and when mistakes happen, it’s always better to address them with respectful communication. The employees on their part, need to understand that all feedback is professional and important, and not personal in nature.
As Bindiya Murgai says, “A smart mental wellness plan boosts morale and resilience, and reduces stress. It increases job satisfaction by creating a workplace where overall health and happiness are the norm, not the exception. When employees feel valued and energized, they bring their passion and creativity to work daily. It’s about making wellness fun and integral to daily life, not just a checkbox.”
Implementing a wellness plan that works for both employees and their organisation enables a workplace where employees feel valued and motivated and consequently, perform well.
A corporate wellness plan is a program implemented by companies to promote the health and wellbeing of their employees.
A corporate wellness plan benefits employees by providing support to improve their physical and mental health.
Corporate wellness plans typically include fitness programs, making available mental health resources and health screenings.
Employees can participate in a corporate wellness program by attending workshops, joining fitness classes or challenges, utilising mental health resources, attending health screenings and engaging in wellness-related activities offered by the company.
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