You probably know that happy, healthy employees choose to put more time and effort into their job. That’s one reason why businesses invest in employee health and wellness programs. But do all your employees reap the same benefits from those programs? What if some face impediments that prevent them from enjoying the perks they deserve?
To ensure the accessibility of these crucial health initiatives, reach out to Givhero. We offer a social wellness platform for businesses that seek to create a supportive work environment. Our programs rely on intrinsic motivators—that is, the internal drives (rather than the external forces) that compel people to act. This approach boosts employees’ productivity by ensuring their needs and cares are attended to.
Below, we describe wellness programs in further detail and discuss how you can diversify your office’s options:
What are Employee Wellness Programs?
Employers offer wellness programs as an incentive to boost their employees’ job satisfaction. These programs usually aim to support employees’ physical and mental health, as both have an impact on productivity and workplace culture.
Popular wellness programs include healthy snacks, mental health days, fitness activities, “lunch and learns”, and more. Researchers have documented the benefits of employee wellness programs, which include higher morale, increased retention, and reduced health costs.
Of course, a gap exists between the intention and implementation of wellness programs. As individuals, employees bring a variety of backgrounds and needs into the workplace. Those backgrounds and needs are informed by their age, gender, race, and ethnicity. And for your wellness program to succeed, it must address the spectrum of individuals’ experiences.
Diversifying Your Wellness Program
1. Emphasize diversity as a central component of the wellness program
To ensure that your company’s wellness program is inclusive, start by announcing diversity as a critical component. While this step may appear unnecessary to some folks, it invites everyone into the conversation. Remember: one person’s experiences cannot speak for everyone else’s.
To further ensure that all interests are represented, create a diversity and inclusion committee. Doing so provides a common space for multiple voices to give input. That committee can then speak on wellness programming and suggest initiatives.
2. Take health disparities into account
To design a program that better addresses the needs of all, you should consider the social determinants of health. This term refers to the environmental conditions that influence each of us. The CDC breaks them into built-environment, health/healthcare, education, economic stability, and social/community context.
These conditions have major impacts on the health and worldviews of individuals. For instance: many workplaces have employees with different education/literacy levels and language barriers. Thus, a company-wide book club may not be a viable option for all workers.
3. Deliver wellness offerings in different languages
In the same vein as above, we note the importance of proper wellness implementation. Offering program options in multiple languages, for example, is just a smart implementation.
Consider how to make wellness options multilingual. Programs and materials should be available in English, Spanish, French, and others (depending on your company’s demographics). Inter-office language lessons might also help employees cross language barriers.
4. Apply a multi-generational mindset
While physical and mental health concerns remain the bread and butter of wellness programs, further ones exist. Other wellness dimensions include intellectual, social, spiritual, environmental, and occupational; different generations of people prioritize different concerns.
For instance, Baby Boomers tend toward physical wellness offerings, while Millennials prefer social and mental ones. Moreover, each generation’s needs evolve as their family and financial situations change. As an employer, you must balance all these wants and needs in your wellness program offering.
Inclusive Health and Wellness Programs That Work for Your Employees
All employees deserve the same access to wellness opportunities. To ensure that your programs are accessible to all, reach out to Givhero about comprehensive employee health and wellness programs. We have created adaptable health initiatives that apply the internal motivators of your team members. So, reach out to us today at (240) 801-5927 or fill out our online form for more information!
