Here’s why wellness is important at workplaces

Wellness programs and initiatives are creating a buzz in today’s corporate sphere. However, ‘wellness’ may often be confused or misused to mean ‘absence of illness’. In reality, wellness is more than that; it focuses on good health so your body runs more efficiently and longer.

Therefore, a wellness initiative is a conscious, proactive choice for improved healthcare.

A wellness program at the workplace is a planned, employer-initiated program designed to reduce the health risks of employees and enhance personal effectiveness to improve their overall health, and in turn the organisation’s bottom line.

According to a Towers Watson India report; stress, obesity and lack of physical activity are observed to be the major risk factors for lifestyle diseases. Additionally, employers observe that cardiovascular and gastrointestinal diseases are the top reasons for medical claims in India.

A Harvard Business Review report states that every dollar invested in wellness programs results in six-dollar healthcare savings in the United States. The spectrum of diseases that employees are susceptible to, and the immense cost savings have encouraged employers to shift their focus from illness to wellness.

Remember, there is no readymade app or instant one-size-fits-all program that can be implemented in organisations. The entire wellness initiative requires creating awareness, which should trickle to all levels of the organisation, and prompt a conscious behavioural change among all involved, for successful implementation. Post implementation, it requires constant motivation, support and engagement from the top management for continuity.

How does an unhealthy workplace affect employees and the organisation? You will notice that most risk factors for an unhealthy body are triggered by our daily actions, whether conscious or not.

Hurried or missed breakfasts, late lunches, long hours of sitting, poor hydration, etc. are some of the characteristics typical of our routine today. Research reveals that sitting for more than six hours makes an individual 40% more prone to die in the next 15 years, as compared to one who sits less than three hours.

Poor ergonomics at the workplace is yet another major factor contributing to lifestyle diseases among employees. Awkward postures with inadequate spine support, unnecessary physical exertion and long hours at the computer can result in back or neck aches, stress, and even more critical disorders such as obesity. Moreover, even though most employees may fail to notice it, bad postures and unhealthy work environments result in lowered productivity.

The absence of hygiene factors such as good workplace conditions can also cause frustration among employees and eventually lead to disengaged employees. Increased occurrence of diseases results in frequent sick leaves, thereby further lowering the productivity of the team and the organisation.

On the bright side of things, wellness programs at the workplace can help employees maintain a healthier lifestyle, even if it involves encouraging small steps such as a two-minute break from the computer screen. An energetic and fruitful day at work helps employees spend more quality time with family, without being tired or stressed. It also boosts their health and reduces absenteeism.

The perception that their employer actually cares about their health and wellness goes a long way in enhancing employee morale and loyalty to the organisation. Being healthy and happy at the workplace and in personal life helps to improve employee productivity, and subsequently improves the organisation’s bottom line. It saves employers from covering the medical bills and reduces employee healthcare expenses.

Wellness programs attract potential employees with wellness perquisites and benefits; also, they perceive their employers-to-be as caring and thoughtful.

Wellness initiatives at the workplace could range from implementing no-smoking rules to introducing weekly yoga sessions for employees. According to an ICICI Lombard survey conducted in June 2016, 56% respondents said that they belonged to organisations that incentivised healthy lifestyles. 90% respondents also favoured in-house yoga sessions at their workplace.

These numbers indicate the positive outlook of employees towards wellness programs at the workplace, where they spend more than half of their day. Employers and senior management must understand the significance of such activities, and go beyond merely considering them as employee engagement initiatives. They should view efforts towards wellness programs as long-term investments that will help them save on man-days and increase company productivity.

Wellness at the workplace does not end with a few random programs conducted in spurts. It requires the conscious involvement of every individual in the organisation and is a culture, rather than an activity. Thus, the culture of wellness should percolate to every level through training programs, organisation-wide posters, appointing wellness ambassadors, etc. until it becomes an integral part of the organisational mind set. #DoTheDifficult

ICICI Lombard offers a wellness and preventive healthcare package under its health insurance policy. As part of the package, it has recognised yoga as a preventive healthcare tool. This facilitates policyholders who have chosen the add-on to file a claim for reimbursement of expenses for yoga sessions. Similarly on can get wellness points for gym reimbursement or availing nutrition consultation.

While insurance providers have recognised the cost-benefit trade-off of introducing wellness packages, it is important that employers also understand and adopt the same for the well-being of their employees as well as organisation!

(This article is authored by Sanjeev Mantri, Executive Director, ICICI Lombard General Insurance)
(Image: Thinkstock)