Managing a team to finish work-related tasks is a tough job. But do you know what’s harder? Keeping your team happy, healthy, and satisfied. Every business’s responsible for taking good care of their employees.
In doing so, the team can produce high-quality output consistently and will want to work with your company long-term—and that’s what you should be after. You must help maintain this relationship and improve the quality of life of your employees so they can perform their best at work. It’s as important as finishing and delivering results to your clients.
How can you help your team feel happier and healthier at your workplace? In this article, we will share with you all of our wellness program ideas that you can swipe to help you and your team level up your future workplace wellness programs. Read on.
What Is An Employee Wellness Program?
An employee wellness program or corporate wellness program is a benefits system to help maintain and/or improve employees' health physically, emotionally, and mentally. It provides several benefits, including:
- Improved employee engagement;
- Higher employee retention;
- Improved physical health, mental health, and overall wellbeing of your staff;
- Ability to attract top-tier talent;
- Better work-life balance;
- More productivity;
- Happy and motivated employees;
- and more!
We'll go into more detail about the many benefits of these programs later in this article. All workplace wellness activities and programs hope to develop and provide a collective of options to benefit the employees to make work life more of a breeze. This is to help them balance and nurture their well-being in and out of the office.
30+ Employee Wellness Program Ideas for the Workplace
It’s not easy to come up with unique wellness program ideas. If you’re having a hard time coming up with an original right now, feel free to take our swipes and use them to your advantage.
Here are 30+ employee wellness program ideas from us:
1) Virtual Team Building Activities
When worksite wellness programs aren't possible, you can have virtual team-building activities. These can be anything from virtual challenges to group exercises and games. As long as it’s held online, not deliverable-related, and requires team participation, it’s absolutely a virtual team building activity.
You can run virtual team building activities platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet hosted by a company’s event specialist. The goal of a virtual team-building activity is to build relationships, improve communication, and boost employee morale.
The following are some of the most popular games for VTB:
- Online escape rooms;
- Icebreaker quizzes;
- Group fitness classes;
- Virtual truth or dare; and
- Among Us.
Looking for virtual team-building activities that can help engage your team and promote employee wellness? Why not try out our platform, Quizbreaker? It includes all kinds of online team-building activities you can play with your team, including:
- Icebreaker quizzes;
- Trivia games; and
- Escape rooms.
2) Personality Testing
This is a fun and exciting way for any company to predict their employees’ and applicants' behavior before actually getting to know or work with them.
Corporate HRs, managers, and supervisors use methods like personality tests to know and understand their employees better. Personality tests are always used when collecting information about prospective candidates for job offers, role promotions, and salary increases.
Free personality test website you and your team should try:
Check out our list of top personality tests next if you want to see more personality-testing ideas for your employee wellness programs.
3) Employee Pulse Surveys
Pulse surveys are quick-to-answer sets of questions sent to employees regularly by workplace management. These surveys are carried out to gather employee feedback on recent changes and/or things they want to reform within the office grounds.
Pulse surveys are mainly about workplace-related concerns, which include communication in the office, the relationship of the people in the office, the overall work environment, employee suggestions, complaints, and anything of relevance that can make the workplace a little bit better.
Recommended Reading: 51 Most Effective Pulse Survey Questions [2024 Edition]
4) Flexible Working Hours
Flexible work hours promote better productivity and can improve the mental health of company workers as they go to work on hours that suit them best. Recent research shows that 58% of US workers say flexible working hours is highly important to them.
Flexible hours lift the pressure of coming to work on time every day as employees can work at their preferred hours and meet what’s expected of them. This is quite healthy since each employee functions differently at different hours.
The usual results of allowing employees to work on flexible hours are:
- Employees will love the company more as it sees them as humans— that they have a life outside of work— and that they’re not just some money-making machines
- Since employees can choose to work when their energy level is the highest, their focus is better. As a result, better productivity in terms of producing output and performance while maximizing the use of their limited work hours
- It gives the employees a reinforced sense of freedom from the toxic work culture, so better mood overall.
5) Access to Health Coaching
Access to health coaching and custom health plans that are personalized for each employee is very important. By providing access to health coaches, employees can succeed in their pursuit of achieving good health faster.
Coaching programs are invaluable to workers as they can help create systems that drastically improve the health of your employees—both physically and mentally—so they can perform their best at work.
6) Flu Shots
You and your team can fight the flu season by equipping your employees with flu shots. Flu shots reduce flu-related absences. With flu out of the way, business operations will be uninterrupted, and deliverables will be met.
7) Free Healthy Food
By simply providing your employees with free healthy food, you can bring your company a step, or maybe two steps, closer to success.
It’s not news that burned-out and stressed employees are prone to stress eating or other similar vices that can worsen over time. To address this growing concern, organizations are putting pantries or snack bars stocked with healthy food options for their employees.
With free healthy food available, workers are less likely to reach for junk foods at work—saving them money while saving them from the stress of catching diseases due to poor eating habits and consumption of unhealthy food options. Plus, workers perform better at work when they eat better.
8) Gym Reimbursement
How this perk works is that the company pays for the gym memberships, personal training fees, and class fees of the worker. This perk is most prominent in purely remote-work employees and workplaces where teams value physical activity a lot.
Typically, a fitness or gym reimbursement perk extends access inclusive of both fitness and wellness facilities to help employees stay fit and healthy—physically and mentally.
9) Childcare Facilities
This is a perk most useful to busy working parents juggling work-life balance. A childcare facility is a perfect addition if your company is looking for ways to help employees who are juggling parenting and work.
By adding a childcare facility to your wellness program, you’ll be lifting the worry off the working parent's mind and giving them the benefit of having peace of mind while they do their responsibilities at work.
10) Standing Desks
Sitting for long hours is a nightmare for every office worker's knees, back, hips, and posture. Adding a standing desk in the office and giving the workers the option to work while standing and move more during the day. Not only that. It will add more comfort to their body but can also improve their health over time.
Are you looking for other gift ideas for your staff to show your appreciation? Check out these articles next:
- The 101+ BEST Employee Gift Ideas for Your Team 2024
- 100+ Corporate Gifting Ideas Your Clients & Partners Will Love
- 45+ Going Away Gifts to Get for Coworkers (2024 List)
- 40+ Incredible Gifts to Get for Your Boss (2024 List)
- The 42+ Best New Employee Welcome Kits for Onboarding (2024)
- 40 Best Retirement Gift Ideas for Coworkers, Family and Friends (2024)
11) Workplace Library
Setting up a lovely office library can give workers access to all sorts of books and magazines. It doesn’t require much maintenance, and you might successfully influence the team to pick up a new hobby—which is reading. It's a way to promote reading, learning, and creativity to your team members.
Don’t forget to update your library every once in a while.
12) Book Club
Starting a book club at work is a great way to help people grow intellectually. Book clubs also build a sense of community and give employees a chill space to relax and have some deep talks. Reading and chatting over coffee and books can boost personal development, creativity, and overall well-being.
13) Telemedicine
Giving employees access to telemedicine as part of their health benefits has loads of benefits for both employers and workers. Telemedicine breaks down location barriers, making it easy for employees in remote areas to get healthcare services without a hitch.
14) Tobacco Cessation
Did you know that only one out of every ten people who try to stop smoking succeed every year? You can help raise that number, starting with your own employees, by offering a smoking cessation support program at your workplace.
Introducing a cessation program to your team members could provide the additional support and motivation they've been missing. In some cases, it’s not that they don’t want to quit smoking. It’s just that they can’t.
15) Biometric Screening
Also known as wellness screening is an important part of any effective wellness program. Biometric screening helps individuals detect early warning signs within their bodies.
This procedure is done to recognize and track specific health conditions like heart disease and diabetes. Employers may opt for biometric screenings to establish a baseline assessment of their employee’s overall health and keep an eye on possible health issues that could potentially lead to more severe health concerns or mortality.
16) Financial Planning Assistance
Integrating employee financial wellness programs can improve the financial well-being of workers by helping them manage their finances and reduce their worries. Employers should recognize the impact of personal financial difficulties on productivity, with signs like sleep loss, poor concentration, and physical symptoms.
Providing financial advice as a wellness program can positively influence the well-being and workplace focus of the team members.
17) Wellness Board
Create safe spaces or avenues for the team members to adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
Consider implementing a comprehensive program from a place of love and understanding and find ways to encourage your workers to make healthier choices and break unhealthy habits that ultimately put their health and livelihood at risk.
18) Gratitude Practice
Gratitude involves acknowledging and appreciating meaningful aspects of our mundane everyday lives. By introducing a meaningful gratitude practice as part of your workplace wellness program, the routine will keep your team members grounded and grateful and have an improved overall outlook in life.
If practiced consistently, gratitude practices can elevate your team’s mood and foster positivity in the workplace—all the more during trying times.
Three easy-to-do gratitude practices you can try right away:
- Savoring the moment;
- Journaling (which can improve sleep by 25% and positivity by up to 15%); and
- Meditation sessions at work (you can do weekly or monthly sessions).
19) No Work Zone
Set up a work-free zone for employees to unwind and relax, free from any work discussions. Implementing no work zone as part of a wellness program where they can bum around improves overall employee health and morale.
20) Virtual Mental Health Support
Incorporating virtual mental health programs into the workplace is a proactive strategy that can effectively alleviate symptoms of mental health concerns. Virtual Mental Health Support encourages employees to take really good care of their mental well-being and promote a healthier and safer work environment for themselves.
Engaging in virtual mental health programs helps team members be better equipped with the necessary information to accomplish challenges, concentrate better, and give their best in their jobs. This holistic approach not only addresses mental health concerns but also contributes to employee well-being.
If you're looking for a good mental health support program, check out Better Help. They're one of the fastest growing online counseling platforms. One of the best things about this service is how well they adjust to your mental health needs. They'll check things like your current problems, religious affiliations, and more. To date, over 4 million people have used Better Help to get mental health support. Check them out.
21) Community Service Days
Employers or events managers can arrange a community volunteer day, allowing staff to participate in fundraising events and groups for causes they're passionate about. These programs not only foster closer relationships among employees but also contribute to your community’s welfare.
Employee volunteer programs are a valuable means for businesses to promote community involvement. Beyond enhancing productivity and engagement, community service days elevate morale, improve hiring and retention, and cultivate a sense of purpose, teamwork, and belonging within the company.
22) Walking or Running Clubs
Encouraging employee activity clubs fosters connection and physical fitness. These clubs can arrange regular walks, bike rides, or group exercises, creating a sense of community and promoting an active, healthy lifestyle.
23) On-site Gardening
Dedicating an on-site gardening space offers employees a chance to connect with nature through a relaxing and fulfilling activity. Gardening has proven mental health benefits, reduces stress, and enhances overall well-being, making it a valuable addition to workplace employee wellness programs.
24) Naps
Companies nowadays acknowledge the rejuvenating effects of short naps in between shifts and have introduced designated nap spaces or "nap pods" in the workplace. These spaces allow employees a brief break to recharge, boost their productivity, strengthen their creativity, and sharpen overall alertness.
25) Remote Working
Embracing remote work options gives employees a flexible work environment. Eliminating commuting stress and giving them more control over their schedules helps workers improve their work-life balance.
Remote work can also gradually reduce burnout and enhance employee well-being and satisfaction. Moreover, it positively affects employee productivity, as remote workers report that their productivity goes up by 77% when they work from home.
26) Subsidized Ongoing Education
Showing authentic support for ongoing education and professional development enables employees to enhance their skills and knowledge willingly. This investment in employee growth showcases an organization's commitment to its worker's long-term success and well-being.
27) Weight Management Challenge
Implementing weight management challenges in your workplace can foster teamwork and excitement, improving the morale and collaboration in your team. This simple and efficient approach enhances employee well-being, weight management, rapport, and healthy living.
28) Games Room
You can add a workplace games room for employees that they can use during leisure hours to have a space for relaxation and stress relief. Games Room is very effective and it can help foster social connections.
29) Lunch & Learn
Lunch & Learn are casual, voluntary seminars held during lunch with the employer providing free “lunch,” as the name suggests. These seminars bring together people from across the organization to collaborate, learn, and drive personal ambitions, team, and business development in a relaxed atmosphere.
It’s a good opportunity for employees to network and build rapport with their co-workers, and it’s super good for their mental health.
30) Ergonomic Office Equipment
Adding ergonomic office equipment in the workplace helps workers focus on doing their jobs and less on making themselves comfortable. Did you know that even just adding an ergonomic chair at work can increase productivity by 15-20%?
Ergonomic tools are equipment built for comfort, efficiency, and safety. Ergonomic furniture works to fix employees' posture, prevent arthritis, and reduce the number of work-related injuries overall.
31) Pizza Parties
Not because the boss is bad but because there’s nothing wrong with occasional indulging. Employers often express appreciation for their employees' hard work and dedication by organizing events such as pizza parties, happy hours, cookies, and more. Simple appreciation goes a long way—especially to a worker’s mental health.
32) Gift Certificate Giveaway
Gift card incentives can motivate employees to produce outstanding results for the employer and their clients. Along with it, gift certificate incentives can set a healthy competitive atmosphere within the office, especially on special occasions where gift certificates are reserved as a prize.
Benefits of Employee Wellness Programs
Both the company and its workers can benefit in various ways from supporting and encouraging workplace wellness. The following are baseline benefits of employee programs that we’ve observed.
More productivity
Introducing wellness programs in the workplace enhances productivity by promoting employee well-being. Workers who participate in wellness initiatives are likely to feel better, both physically and emotionally, and in turn, be more productive at work.
Companies that provide solid wellness programs are more likely to attract new job applicants and enjoy greater company morale among their employees. If your team is happy, they are more effective in doing their jobs.
High employee morale
Employee morale is defined as the attitude and satisfaction of employees within an organization. Integrating wellness programs targeting the promotion of employee morale can demonstrate appreciation and value to employees, resulting in increased happiness and enthusiasm in the workplace.
Improve recruitment and retention of employees
By promoting wellness programs at work, your office becomes a safe and positive environment for your employees to express themselves. Tendencies are increased talent retention, higher energy levels, and fewer sick days for workers.
That said, wellness programs make for great employee retention strategies. That's because workers who are valued and appreciated at their workplaces are more likely to keep their jobs and stay for as long as they can. Good word spreads like wildfire.
Reduced absenteeism
Promoting health and fitness in the workplace plays a major role in this. If the employees are well taken care of, they’re not stressed about work-life balance, no micromanaging, and their needs are met, workers are less likely to get sick and take their time off work to get better—no time wasted. The bottom line is healthy people are happy people.
Reduced health risks
Workplace wellness programs help alleviate the stress all workers experience that causes health risks.
This is an effective way to prevent long-term diseases like diabetes, cancer, and other grave illnesses that can be caused by a combination of a job’s sedentary lifestyle culture, poor eating habits, and accumulated stress from work.
Building camaraderie among workers
Fostering camaraderie among employees through a wellness program like team-building activities and social events creates a positive and supportive work environment that enhances overall job satisfaction.
This sense of camaraderie promotes professional relationships, collaboration, and effective communication. As a result, workers are happily engaging in the community, and improved employee morale.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the frequently asked questions about wellness programs:
What is a wellness program for employees?
A wellness program is a corporate system that aims to support workers' physical, emotional, and mental health needs. It should offer various creative options for nurturing well-being both in and outside the office.
Why should a company offer wellness programs?
A company should offer wellness programs if it’s aiming to boost employee well-being, productivity, and job satisfaction while creating a positive work environment for its employees.
What should be included in a company wellness program?
Company wellness programs should cover fitness, mental health, nutrition, stress management, work-life balance, health screenings, preventive care, and incentives to promote a holistic approach to employee well-being.
Don’t forget pizza parties and gift certificates.
What do employees want in a wellness program?
Employees want wellness programs that cover physical and mental health, nutritional guidance, work-life balance, incentives, and community engagement.
By implementing a mix of these elements guarantees a wellness program that resonates with employees' diverse needs. To cover all the bases, you could offer things like stress management training to keep their minds in check, workshops on personal finance, and company support for activities like volunteering or mentoring.
It's more about making sure everyone's got the tools to handle stress and their career, and that they feel good about what they're doing is something worthwhile.
What should wellness goals include?
Wellness goals should include:
- Programs that promote work-life balance;
- Prioritizing the health and well-being of the employee;
- Developing healthy physical, mental, and emotional habits;
- Building and bridging healthy relationships in the workplace and outside;
- Creating a safe space and supportive community; and
- Eliminating unhealthy competition.
Also,
- Discounted programs in health management;
- Medical plan benefits;
- Behavior modification programs; and
- High-quality programs that can help improve employees’ certain health concerns.
Final Thoughts
Strategizing and executing wellness programs requires the involvement of the management and its team members. Wellness programs are great opportunities to interact with employees and really show them your appreciation and care for their well-being.
Going back to the topic of keeping your team happy, healthy, and satisfied… Again. It matters. With this in mind, employers can take advantage of wellness programs if they prioritize cultivating a great lifelong relationship with their employees.
Besides health-related benefits, wellness programs work well in addressing matters such as employee burnout, broken relationships in the workplace due to work-related conflicts, and other similar issues. It’s easier said than done, but always look for avenues to extend help to your team members so that everybody is happy, productive, and thriving.
