So, here we are at the start of a new year and what a great time to consider how we can create a happier and healthier workforce. With performance and wellbeing being intrinsically linked, implementing corporate wellbeing programs are win-win all round.
The more you look after your employees, the more engaged and ultimately productive they will be. Staff members feel more valued, take less time off sick and there’s better communication and cohesion within the team, all of which leads to a more positive working environment.
Many of our clients come to us knowing that their team’s wellbeing is important but are just not quite sure where to start. We believe there are a few key areas that can get corporate wellbeing programs on track from the start to ensure everyone feels involved and the right initiatives are introduced.
The Key to Success
1. Ensure leadership support
It’s important to the success of any wellbeing initiative that senior management are not only behind the concept of workplace wellbeing but actively encourage it within the company. To gain this support, we often need to demonstrate the value of corporate wellbeing programs. Start by creating an evidence-based business case that highlights any problems your company could potentially face. This could be absenteeism, employee engagement, productivity or any number of health and wellbeing issues. You can then lay out the benefits of introducing a workplace wellbeing strategy and how certain initiatives will help.
2. Establish your focus areas
What do employees want and need? We find the best way to establish this is by performing a wellbeing audit. Surveys, focus groups and employee health checks can all provide the necessary data to identify risk areas and determine the way forward.
3. Create your wellbeing policy
This doesn’t have to be a complicated process. A simple statement of intent outlining the company’s objectives, organisational commitment, legal obligations, areas you intend to target in the policy such as mental health or physical wellbeing and responsibilities of each staff member. Take it one step further by signing up to a charter or pledge that underlines your commitment and gives you an action plan to work towards.
4. Consider your strategy
Your wellbeing strategy is all about establishing the key steps you must take in order to put the policy in place and achieve your long-term goals. Creating a strategy allows you to decide how best to support your employees with the budget you have available and measure the success of the initiatives you implement over time.
5. Plan your corporate wellbeing programme
So, your policy is in place and you have a strategic framework set to achieve your objectives. You know your focus areas and now it’s time to implement your corporate wellbeing program. Here are just a few of the things you’ll need to consider: programme identity, initiatives to include, logistics, timing, room availability, communication and engagement…
If you are in the beginning stages of considering your wellbeing, it can seem a little overwhelming. We find the best approach is to break it down into stages. A great first step is take our Workplace Wellbeing Checklist; a simple survey that takes a brief look at your challenges, strengths and key objectives. From here we can give you some personal recommendations and ideas to move forward with corporate wellbeing programs for 2020.
