Promoting better employee health isn’t just the right thing to do — it’s also good for the company bottom line in terms of fewer sick days and less lost time. If you’re wondering how to start promoting better employee health but aren’t sure where to begin, we’ve got you covered. Here are 10 ways to encourage your employees to be healthier, from choosing your promotional products carefully to offering better office snacks:
1. Establish an employee wellness program.
Employee wellness program is designed to incentivize employee health. Wellness programs can be customized according to your company’s needs and budget, and the incentives can be tailored to your employees’ interests. For instance, you could offer a gym credit in exchange for completing a yearly health assessment or enter them into a raffle for participating in weigh-ins over the holiday season. Investing in wellness program software is definitely an upfront cost, but for many mid- to large-size companies, they make all that money back by saving on healthcare costs.
2. Offer good health insurance.
Employees with good employer health insurance are far more likely to go to the doctor before a health program turns into something major that requires expensive treatment (and more sick days). Offer employees the best health insurance you possibly can and look into add-ons such as a health savings account (HSA) that will encourage your employees to take care of themselves.
3. Give them healthy swag.
Birthday and holiday gifts often take the form of unhealthy consumables such as chocolate and wine. Instead of going for these classic and not-so-good for you options, consider choosing some outdoor swag instead, such as bulk sunscreen or logo ball caps. Not only will these unique gifts stand out from past years, but they will also encourage your employees to get outside and get moving too.
4. Stock the kitchen with healthy snacks.
If you put unhealthy snacks and sugary beverages in the kitchen, then people will eat them. Instead, offer them healthier alternatives such as dried fruit and organic granola bars. You should also reconsider your beverage options, especially if you keep a lot of soft drinks and energy drinks on hand. If you aren’t sure if your employees will be on board with this change, ask them to submit recommendations for their favorite snack foods to help them get involved in the process and feel like they have buy-in.
5. Revamp your cafeteria menus.
Only a few companies are big enough to have an on-campus cafeteria, but, if yours is, then you should reconsider the menus just like you did with the snacks. Make sure that there are healthy fresh-cooked options that prioritize lean proteins, whole grains and fruits and vegetables. You should also have options for vegans, vegetarians and people at your company with any other dietary restrictions so that everyone can partake in the new healthy entrees.
6. Encourage them to take movement breaks.
Sitting — or, for that matter, standing — all day isn’t good for you and slows your circulation down. Encourage your employees to get up and walk at least once an hour, even if it’s just going to the bathroom or popping over to the kitchen to get a cup of hot tea. Also encourage them to take several longer walks around the building or campus each day to get their heart and lungs pumping and counteract some of the sitting.
7. Buy ergonomic office furniture.
Uncomfortable office furniture can lead to sore muscles, chronic neck and back pain and even a pinched nerve. Invest in comfortable, ergonomic office furniture that will support good posture and help your employee stay pain-free while they work. If your employees work from home a lot, consider offering them a credit to buy ergonomic furniture for their home office as well as show them that you are serious about their well-being.
8. Reduce sitting time.
While you are shopping for office furniture, consider offering them alternatives to the traditional office chair. This can take the form of a standing desk, a balance ball, a rocking stool or the many other options out there. Generally, it’s a good idea to offer these in conjunction with a regular chair since it’s hard to stand at a computer or roll around on a bouncy ball for 8+ hours a day. That way, employees can switch back and forth to get their blood flowing at regular intervals.
9.Minimize eye strain from screens.
There’s no denying that computer screens, phone screens and tablet screens are all bad for our eyes, thanks to that pesky blue light. In fact, that blue light is responsible for some of the eye strain that you feel at the end of a long day working on the computer. Give your employees blue light glasses to help filter the light and ease the strain on their eyes. If your employees already wear regular glasses, then consider giving them a credit to upgrade to blue-light filtering prescription lenses so they don’t have to compromise.
10. Encourage good hygiene.
Sadly, offices can become hotbeds of illnesses, especially during cold and flu season. Encourage employees to wash and sanitize their hands often and wipe down surfaces after they use them. If they are sick, encourage them to stay home to keep their germs to themselves, and have them wear a mask if it is absolutely necessary that they come into the office. This will reduce the chances that other employees get sick and overall lower the number of sick days taken by the office.
Promoting better employee health is a great goal. Follow these 10 tips to support your employees on their journey to better health on the clock and beyond the office.
