Several studies indicate that Americans typically spend 47 hours or more a week at the office. Those hours - added to the outside responsibilities of family, friends and other life activities - leave most workers stressed out, tired and probably under performing on all levels. Being a busy career woman myself, I learned early on that my overall wellbeing was vital to my personal success, and found that taking care of myself and encouraging those around me to do the same, led to a stronger and more profitable business environment.
This prompted me to start a corporate initiative program at Bellus Academy to assist organizations with the welfare of their employees (undeniably an organization’s most valuable asset) designed to help restore life balance and increase productivity on all levels.
Wellness programs are managed corporate programs that assist and support employees in establishing healthier lifestyles. Such programs can vary greatly in their offering even among companies within the same industry. One common theme I found when starting my Wellness Program is that most organizations related wellbeing with their employees’ physical health. A common misconception, as one’s overall wellbeing and optimal health also should include spiritual wellness, emotional wellness, social wellness, mental wellness, and intellectual wellness.
Employees whose companies have embraced wellness benefits experience multiple benefits, including:
A reduction of stress
An increase of loyalty and longevity
An improved camaraderie among their co-workers
A reduction of sickness and having to use sick leave
An improved work performance
An increase in responsibility
A decrease in their healthcare expenses
Corporate wellness programs not only benefit your employees, the organization as a whole can also reap many benefits. Some examples of how an organization as whole can benefit:
Reducing absenteeism because healthy employees spend less time away from work due to illness.
Lowering healthcare costs that consume corporate profits and employee checks.
Increasing productivity by reducing employees’ levels of stress, depression, injury, or illness.
Reducing injuries because healthy employees with lower risk factors are at a lower risk for injury than those unhealthy employees with more risk factors.
The improvement of employee morale and retention by incorporating a company sponsored workplace wellness program to send a message to employees that management values their wellbeing inside and outside of the workplace.
It is my belief that a corporate wellness program serves a purpose to not only the employee but also to the organization. A healthy employee is a present, productive, and functioning employee.
Lynelle lynch
President and Owner of Bellus Academy
To learn more about the Bellus Wellness Program visit www.bellusacademy.edu
