**This post is part of International Quality of Life BlogIt Day, sponsored by Sodexo**
Ahhh…..quality of life. Have you heard this phrase before? Definitely one of those phrases that you hear in many corporate settings. We all want to have it and it’s a great idea for companies to offer employees benefits that improve their quality of life. After all, happier people make better, more productive employees!
9 Ways to promote health and well-being in the workplace:
1. Encourage exercise – Movement can really get the creative and problem-solving juices flowing. Taking a break for a brisk walk during the day can help employees refresh and recharge. Encourage employees to take breaks periodically, start a walking club during lunch, or offer a reward system for movement. See if a local gym will offer employees a discount for membership to encourage them to workout before or after work. None of these suggestions will cost the company any money but can help to increase productivity and improved health.
2. Promote preventive care – Preventive care for employees can reduce sick time and save the company money. Many insurance plans offer no- or low-cost preventive care for employees so encourage employees to take advantage of this benefit. Offer employees annual flu shots in the office so it is convenient for them. Some insurance plans cover flu shots as preventive care or will give a significant discount for giving shots in the office. Since the flu can cause employees to be out of work a significant length of time, the cost of flu shots is minimal in comparison.
3. Offer healthy snacks – You never know when hunger will strike, so having healthy choices like fruits available as an alternative to vending machines gives employees an option to make healthier choices. Fruit is less expensive than candy so it can be sold to employees for less or even offered free. Bananas and apples are handy grab and go snacks and having them available makes it easy to choose and helps avoided the dreaded sugar crash from sugary snacks.
4. Have plenty of drinking water available for employees – We all know how important water is for our health. But many people have trouble getting in the basic amount to stay properly hydrated. To help employees drink more water, companies can provide cold, filtered water for employees to enjoy. A nice treat for employees would be a large environmentally friendly tumbler to encourage them to drink more. And studies have shown that drinking from a straw helps people drink more water faster.
5. Offer employee education to learn healthy habits that will improve their lives – A well-balanced life involves everything from work to nutrition to parenting to saving for retirement and many other things. Providing educational resources such as Sodexo’s Quality of Life website for employees help them to learn about the areas of their lives that they are focused on helps them learn and grow – and shows that the company cares about them. Compiling resources and making them available on a company intranet is a great way for employees to access them anytime. Companies can also offer online seminars or bring in professionals to educate employees.
6. Be family friendly – For most employees, family is far more important than work. As the saying goes, we work to live, not live to work. When employers recognize that family is a priority and offer family friendly policies, employees are more likely to stick around. Offering employees flexible work hours, assistance with childcare, and paid family leave are policies that support families in balancing their lives.
7. Offer incentives to employees – Rewarding employees for certain actions can motivate them. Offering discounts on insurance for being healthy or not smoking is a great way to encourage employees to get fit or quit smoking. Contests for participating in fitness events such as a walking club encourage employees to get involved and make it fun. Prizes like company swag or gift cards for local businesses or even time off work help sweeten the deal too and encourage participation!
8. Provide employees with a place to get away for a few minutes – We all need to get away from time to time. Having an area for employees to take a few minutes and relax helps them recharge. This could be an outdoor area to soak up a few minutes of sunshine or a comfortable breakroom to sit on comfortable couches and read or watch a few minutes of television. Just getting away for a short amount of time to relax can increase productivity since a break allows employees to return to work with a fresh perspective.
9. Relaxation sessions – Many companies have realized that employees are under a great deal of stress. Regardless of how great a company may be to work for, some jobs are just inherently stressful. Companies can help with this by providing relaxation sessions periodically. Bringing in a massage therapist for free 10-minute massages is a great way to show employees that you appreciate their contributions.
Encouraging health and wellness in the workplace benefits both employers and employees in so many ways. Here are just a few of the benefits:
For employers:
- Attract and keep skilled employees
- Reduce costs related to absenteeism and healthcare
- Reduce the effects of a stressful workplace
- Improve morale
For employees:
- Improved health and well being
- Increased productivity and effectiveness at work
- Reduced personal health care costs
- Higher morale and greater job satisfaction
What does quality of life mean to you? Do you work for a company that values quality of life for employees?
Lisa @bitesforbabies says
January 30, 2015 at 6:13 amGreat post! People get to worked up in every day life and need reminders on how to stay healthy physically and mentally!
Jeanine says
January 30, 2015 at 7:22 amReally great tips! The workplace can be so stressful and often not a fun place for a lot of people so this will be so helpful!
Jeanine recently posted…Adventures in Potty Learning
Fi Ní Neachtáin says
January 30, 2015 at 7:23 amThese are great tips for workplaces. I wish my fiance’s boss would remember to be family friendly, he’s not even allowed to take our sons birthday off work 🙁
Ashley says
January 30, 2015 at 8:10 amThis is a wonderful post! My fiancés company does most of these things, which is definitely not the norm in America lol. They even have a “quiet room” for naps!
Ashley recently posted…My 2015 Reading List: January Update and Reviews
Cassie @ Southeast by Midwest says
January 30, 2015 at 8:33 amI’ve heard of a few companies that promote exercise and provide healthier snack and drink options to their employees. From what I read employees in this type of workplace tend to be happier.
Cassie @ Southeast by Midwest recently posted…Heir to the Jedi by Kevin Hearne
Donna Ward says
January 30, 2015 at 1:38 pmFun tips that I try to follow in my work at home biz – but, I try to not take too many breaks – lol
Donna Ward recently posted…Got Blog Personality?
Angelic Sinova says
January 30, 2015 at 2:00 pmGreat tips! Having water and health snacks available definitely helps improves employees quality of life. It is important to promote a healthy lifestyle both inside and outside the work place <3
Angelic Sinova recently posted…12 Months of Happiness: January 2015
Mama to 5 BLessings says
January 30, 2015 at 3:09 pmGreat list. My husband’s job has a gym in it for the employees they are big on health and he works for a corporate office supply company!
Mama to 5 BLessings recently posted…Recycling Board Game Cut Outs As Stencils For Kids (Learn & Link)
michele d says
January 30, 2015 at 3:35 pmThis is wonderful information. Yes I agree, having that help will certainly bring the best out of the employees. Keeping them happy and healthy should be very important.
Myrabev says
January 30, 2015 at 4:50 pmThese are all great tips and most of the blue chip pharma companies have worked for and one currently work for all provide these. great post
Echo says
January 30, 2015 at 4:54 pmI know that there are companies out there that are embracing these ideals. Some of them that I know of, locally, have very happy and healthy employees!
Echo recently posted…Ask Away Friday with a Lovely Brit!
Danielle W. says
January 30, 2015 at 7:24 pmYou’d think it be an obvious idea but health and wellness in the workplace is so essential do be successful. I definitely believe that it’s important to have a gym or meditation/ yoga to de-stress if the environment needs it.
Michelle Hwee says
January 30, 2015 at 9:47 pmThis is very inspiring to me, quality of life is everything, success and love! What a great post, it really speaks out to me! This is the way to go and when companies embrace, its magical.
Natalie says
January 31, 2015 at 7:23 pmThese are all great tips to stay healthy in the workplace, it all really depends on the workplace you live in.
vidya sudarsan says
January 31, 2015 at 7:39 pmExcellent tips.. I would love to link your post when I write about my next post on Office decor. These points are all very important to keep employees happy.
vidya sudarsan recently posted…GrillFella BBQ Wok & Silicone Heat Resistant Gloves Review
Carly says
January 31, 2015 at 9:16 pmI love this! I just started doing workout videos a couple days a week during lunch with my coworkers……we love it! It seriously makes a huge difference in the whole day!
Penny Struebig says
February 1, 2015 at 10:31 amThese tips are so true! Many employers don’t realize the long-term benefit of providing these things to their employees.
Penny Struebig recently posted…Five on Friday – January 30, 2015
Cherri Megasko says
February 1, 2015 at 4:37 pmI hear of companies doing these things more and more these days. I particularly appreciate the companies that are “family friendly.” That can make such a difference in overall job satisfaction.
Cherri Megasko recently posted…Pozole – Mexican Pork and Hominy Soup
Notorious Spinks says
February 5, 2015 at 12:31 amThese are great tips. Especially about keeping water and healthy snacks on-hand for employees. Preventive care is also important.
Notorious Spinks recently posted…Did @MissyElliott Steal the Halftime Show or Is It Just Her Time, Again?