Workplace wellness programs offer immense rewards both for employees and your business. They’re effective at reducing sick leave and improving employee mental and physical health, as well as boosting morale, increasing productivity, and creating a more positive work culture. However, finding ways to engage your employees in wellness activities and encouraging participation can often be challenging. Here are five tips for engaging your employees in workplace wellness programs to ensure they’re effective:
1. Ask Employees What They Want
Workplace wellness activities should be inclusive and flexible, catering to the diverse health levels of all employees. Asking questions before you start organizing wellness activities will make employees feel involved and will help you identify the right activities for your workplace – making the program more likely to succeed.
A good rule of thumb is to provide different ways for employees to be engaged. For each event or activity, provide options for people who want to participate. Some prefer to do things on their own while others prefer support or competition from peers.
2. Involve People in the Planning Process
The success of any wellness program depends on employee engagement – which also means getting their input on the plan and execution of the program.
Employees can help you tailor wellness program offerings to make them more interesting and valuable for themselves as well as the organization. While very small businesses may not need a wellness committee, they’ll often need someone to lead the activities so having more people involved is essential.
3. Use Incentives
Low-cost incentives or prizes will help encourage employees to participate and keep them motivated. For example, gift certificates, coupons, candy, t-shirts, water bottles, plaques, and coffee mugs are examples of extrinsic incentives that encourage employee participation.
4. Communicate and Celebrate Successes
Develop a communication plan to share information about wellness activities. Emails, posters, and the company messaging board can all be used to promote your programs. Encourage employees to take photos and share stories of their participation.
Also, consider planning a staff lunch or afternoon break for participants to celebrate the end of an activity.
5. Lead by Example
Owners and senior managers who participate in the events encourage others to participate by their example and let employees know that workplace wellness is a priority.
For more information and ideas for workplace wellness programs, check out the CDC’s article, Engaging Employees in Their Health and Wellness.
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