Workplace initiatives first became popularized in the 1970s, when these schemes consisted solely of company-wide meetings that provided general healthy lifestyle advice.
Over time, corporate wellness programs became more proactive regarding employee wellbeing. Company-wide sports were encouraged, healthier food options were provided in canteens and, in some cases, employees were reimbursed for partaking in healthy activities outside of work.
Today, the rise of the ‘Fitbit’ and other analytical fitness trackers are ushering in a new era of employee wellness solutions. We’re witnessing the evolution from a one-size-fits-all model to targeted interventions seeking to address individual healthcare concerns.
Still, the question remains: why don’t one-size-fits-all employee wellness solutions work?
One size doesn’t fit all
Ultimately, well-being means something different to each and every one of us. Health and wellness is such a nuanced, personal, and sensitive subject that it’s impossible to place all employees into one homogeneous wellness solution.
We can easily invite our staff to be measured, we can use “big data” to gain oversight into the wellbeing of our workforce – and, sure, metrics like absence days do provide a standardized image of poor health. However, all of this information is essentially just numbers.
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Individuality is key
Meaningful impacts only occur amongst your employees once you actually start treating them as people – with their own personal wellness priorities and goals. It is your responsibility as a company to provide an immersive, broad range of wellness solutions that provide each and every one of your staff with the opportunity to take the first step to fitness and health.
Gym memberships may only ever reach a small percentage of your employees – and, while you could subsidize the cost, what about the rest of your workforce? How are they improving their lifestyle? Physical well-being is so much broader than one single solution.
Supporting each and every one of your employees is key; ensure no-one is missing out on the opportunity to better themselves and their body.
The future of wellness is here
Technology is catching up with our need to improve employee wellbeing – and it’s catching up fast.
With rising awareness of the impact of poor physical and mental health on the workforce as a whole, it’s more important than ever to utilize targeted technology to develop successful wellness programs.
Of 20,000 human resource and wellness professionals who took part in a survey by Healthiest Employers, 80% placed “improving the overall health of the workforce” as a top motivation of modern health initiatives, yet only 15% were satisfied with the results.
What you need is a well-being program that works to provide personalized goals and listens and reacts to your employees’ individual needs. This is where LifeWorks’ revolutionary wellbeing program comes into play.
With fitness challenges, ‘snackable’ wellness content, and seamless integration with wearable technology, your team will always be motivated, energized, and inspired to be healthy and happy.
The future lies in the engaging health assessments the right wellness scheme provides. You want to be able to understand emotional stress, general health, and physical activity through an innovative, simplistic interface based upon personalized, assessment-driven recommendations, and resources. Don’t forget the rewards for healthy behavior – awards tailored exactly to what pushes you forward.
You want to implement a well-being program that truly prioritizes the health and happiness of a workplace. Fortunately, it’s beginning to feel like the future of fitness is finally in our grasp.
